Original Musical "Eunkyung" Depicts Everyday Lives of North Korean Teenagers

Until July 13 at CKL Stage

The original musical "Eunkyung," which depicts the everyday lives of North Korean teenagers, opens on July 9, 2025, at CKL Stage in Jung-gu, Seoul. After its run until July 13, the show will continue at the Daegu Student Culture Center Small Theater.

"Eunkyung" is based on "Eunkyungi Ilgi" ("Eunkyung's Diary"), published last year by the Institute for North Korean Studies. "Eunkyungi Ilgi" is an essay based on the diary of a North Korean defector who used the pseudonym Eunkyung, reflecting on her first year of high school in North Korea after settling in South Korea. The book was partly written by Eunkyung herself, and partly compiled by Kim Youngsoo, director of the Institute for North Korean Studies, who transcribed Eunkyung's oral accounts. It was published in January last year.

The musical "Eunkyung" shows that the daily lives of North Korean teenagers are not very different from those of South Korean teenagers. As long as there is no surveillance by authorities obsessed with ideology, the teenagers sing, play pranks, and enjoy spending time with friends?just like any other teenagers.

"Eunkyung" was first introduced to audiences last year as a showcase, produced to promote understanding of unification and North Korea in Seoul in 2024. This new production features a more polished and complete stage.

The cast includes Shin Sunju as Eunkyung, Lee Jihyun as Jungcheol, Kim Woojin, Woo Hyuni as Jinok, and Lee Pyomin and Yang Hyesun in multiple roles.

The musical "Eunkyung" is produced with venue support from the Korea Creative Content Agency and sponsored by the Park Seri Hope Foundation, Yongin Youth Future Foundation, and Daegu Happy Future Foundation.

After its run at CKL Stage, the show will continue at the Daegu Student Culture Center Small Theater from July 17 to 19, 2025.