Musical 'Shadow' Revives Tragic Korean History with Rock Spirit

The tragic historical event of 'Imo Incident' from the Joseon Dynasty comes alive with rock spirit in the musical 'Shadow', featuring Crown Prince Sado and King Yeongjo.

The press call for the musical 'Shadow', which began performances on the 5th, was held on the 9th at Baekam Art Hall in Samseong-dong. The event was attended by Pentagon member Jinho, musical actors Han Ji-sang, Park Min-sung, and Kim Chan-ho. Writer Heo Jae-in, composer Andy Roninson, and director Kim Hyun-jun also shared insights about the production.

'Shadow' is a musical that reimagines the tragic father-son story of Crown Prince Sado and King Yeongjo through the energy of rock and a time-loop fantasy. It is inspired by the 1762 'Imo Incident'. The musical intricately portrays the conflict, reconciliation, anger, and forgiveness between the father and son by traversing past and present.

This production marks the musical debut of writer Heo Jae-in. Heo stated, "The work began from the love-hate relationship between parents and children that has long been in my heart. I wanted to explore the cycle of control and self-reproach under the name of love, and as a daughter myself, I tried to convey these emotions as sincerely as possible."

The involvement of an American musician in a Korean musical also drew attention. Andy Roninson shared, "I used melodies I had written in the U.S. It was daunting to tackle a story from a country with such a deep history, but it was equally exciting."

It took nearly three years for 'Shadow' to reach audiences. The musical combines historical events with the rock genre, offering a modern reinterpretation. Director Kim Hyun-jun explained, "Writer Heo suggested using Crown Prince Sado and a time-slip involving a rice chest, and we wanted to create a performance that could resonate across generations by incorporating rock music." He added, "Given the sensitivity of Koreans to historical accuracy, we collected materials and studied for about two years, focusing on events from the childhood of Yeongjo and Sado that are less depicted in films and dramas."

The music in 'Shadow' is rock-based but expands into various genres according to the emotional context. Roninson emphasized, "Musicals can be colored with various genres of music, and the music changes according to the characters' relationships." Director Kim also noted, "The variety of music required different lighting and set designs, which was challenging, but starting with the rice chest as a focal point sparked many ideas."

Kim Chan-ho, who plays Yeongjo, remarked, "I've done many original musicals, but I believe 'Shadow' can represent Korea." Roninson added, "I hope 'Shadow' becomes an opportunity for parents and children to understand each other."