[ON STAGE] Could I Use It Justly... 'Death Note'

[Asia Economy Reporter Seo Mideum] If a name is written in the Death Note, the person dies 40 seconds later. The cause of death is a heart attack. The process leading to death can also be set. The person can be made to throw themselves in front of a moving car or jump into a river. All of this is controlled by the Shinigami (death god). Tired of the monotonous routine of killing people while gambling, one day the Shinigami drops the Death Note on Earth, and a genius high school student, Agami Raito, picks it up. Becoming the owner of the Death Note, he punishes criminals and is praised as 'Kira,' implementing his own sense of justice. Then, the genius detective 'L' appears as his rival, leading to a breathtaking battle of wits and tense psychological warfare.

The storyline is based on the original manga. The manga titled 'Death Note' recorded 1 million copies sold in just two months, the shortest period in Japanese manga history, and surpassed 30 million copies in cumulative sales. In 2006, it was adapted into a movie and animation, in 2013 into a musical, and in 2015 into a drama, gaining great popularity. The musical is closer in content to the movie than the manga. The Japanese performances received great attention by wrapping the conflict over different standards of justice in grand music and splendid stage production. It even attracted Japanese male audiences who relatively seldom go to theaters. The same was true in overseas markets. By successfully staging performances in Taiwan, Korea, and Russia, it established itself as a representative Japanese musical.

What distinguishes this performance from previous ones (2014/2017) is that it is a newly produced Non-Replica version by Odi Company Inc. While the previous productions were performed by Korean actors following the original exactly, this work features newly adapted stage, choreography, and costumes. Producer Shin Chunsu, who successfully staged 'Jekyll & Hyde' as a Non-Replica version, and director Kim Dongyeon, known for his refined sensibility in major works, shine here. The existing multi-level and protruding stages have completely disappeared, and actors perform all scenes on a rectangular single-level stage, enhancing immersion. Several songs have been rearranged.

In the music production, Frank Wildhorn, who participated in works such as 'Jekyll & Hyde' and 'Dracula' and earned the nickname of a composer beloved by Koreans, contributed to delivering a deep resonance. The music video for 'Death Note,' sung by Raito, has already surpassed 16 million views.

The cast includes Hong Kwangho, Kim Junsu, and Kang Hongseok, who were part of the Korean premiere, along with Kim Seongcheol, Ko Eunseong, Seo Kyungsoo, Kim Seonyeong, Jang Eunah, K, and Jang Minje.

The enhanced visual beauty is another change. A display made up of 1,380 3mm LEDs covers the walls, floor, and ceiling of the theater, and three ultra-high-definition laser projectors installed at the front and both sides of the stage project images. Especially, the lines filling the dark space overwhelm the visual senses. The tennis match at Doo University, the first meeting of the Kiras at Shibuya Crossing, and the final showdown at Daikoku Wharf warehouse are iconic scenes that add excitement with vivid visuals.

The theme, which makes Koreans ponder the difficult question 'What is justice?', the music that vibrates the heart and eardrums, and the captivating visuals lead the 2-hour and 30-minute running time in a flash. Even after the performance ends, the afterimages and echoes provoke deep reflection on what true justice is.

The performance continues at the Opera Theater of the Seoul Arts Center until the 14th of next month.