REVIEW What makes 'Jekyll & Hyde' Korea's most beloved musical?

Actor Hong Kwang-ho plays Henry Jekyll in Korea's 20th-anniversary production of the musical "Jekyll & Hyde." Courtesy of OD Company

In Korea, few musicals have left as lasting an impression as "Jekyll & Hyde." Through 10 runs over two decades, the production has captivated Korean audiences, cementing its status as one of the country's most beloved shows.

Originally premiering on Broadway in 1997, the musical arrived in Korea in 2004. Despite its lukewarm reception in the U.S., the Korean adaptation — tailored to better suit local tastes — was met with immediate enthusiasm.

Now in its 10th run, which began in December 2024, the production has surpassed 2 million cumulative viewers, a rare milestone in Korea that underscores its enduring popularity.

Based on Robert Louis Stevenson’s novella, "Strange Case of Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde," the musical features a book and lyrics by Leslie Bricusse, music by Frank Wildhorn and direction by David Swan. OD Company produces the Korean run.

The story follows Henry Jekyll, a brilliant physician and scientist determined to develop a formula that separates good and evil within the human psyche, hoping to cure mental illness. When the hospital board rejects his request for human trials, he turns the experiment on himself — only to end up unleashing his violent alter ego, Edward Hyde.

In the musical, two women become caught in Jekyll's struggle: his fiancée, Emma Carew, and Lucy Harris, a showgirl he meets at a tavern. Their relationships with the divided man shape a tale of love, longing and tragedy — themes that have traditionally resonated deeply with Korean audiences.

Actor Shin Sung-rok plays Edward Hyde in the 10th run of the musical "Jekyll & Hyde." Courtesy of OD Company

Beyond its gripping narrative, the musical's staying power is largely attributed to its emotionally charged score and the demanding dual role of Jekyll and Hyde, a test of both vocal and acting prowess.

At the March 19 performance, Choi Jae-rim, a new addition to the 20th-anniversary cast, delivered an ovation-worthy performance, seamlessly shifting between Jekyll's composed intellect and Hyde's uncontrolled savagery.

A standout moment came during "This Is the Moment," one of Korea’s best-known musical numbers. With outstanding vocals and stage presence, Choi commanded the vast theater, building to a spine-tingling climax. His unembellished vocals, combined with expressions of raw emotions, captured Jekyll's daring ambition, making the song's final notes feel almost too soon.

In "The Transformation," a number where Jekyll’s experiment takes a terrifying turn, Choi’s shift into guttural growls and beast-like movements equally sent chills through the audience, his towering presence making Hyde's emergence all the more menacing.

The show's most gripping sequence came in "The Confrontation," where Jekyll and Hyde battle for control in the same body. Alone on stage, Choi’s seamless transitions between the two personas —through voice, posture and expression — created the illusion of a real-time struggle between two distinct characters.

A scene from the musical "Jekyll & Hyde" / Courtesy of OD Company

The 20th-anniversary production also upheld the show's legacy with its impressive stagecraft.

Perfected over two decades, the production's carefully honed effects heightened the tension at every turn, including lighting shifting precisely in sync with Jekyll and Hyde’s transformations, to intensify their internal struggle. Jekyll’s laboratory, packed with more than 1,800 glass cylinders, also immersed viewers in his dark experiments, while bursts of real fire during Hyde's first murder scene added to the spectacle.

While the show's intensity is occasionally offset by moments of humor, its darker elements remain striking. Hyde's sudden appearances from the shadows created an unsettling atmosphere, with some moments — accompanied by thunderous sound effects — verging on literal jumpscares, making the show unsuitable for the faint-hearted.

"Jekyll & Hyde" runs through May 18 at Blue Square’s Shinhan Card Hall in Yongsan District, Seoul.