Original Musical "Hongryeon" Licensed for Export to China...Shanghai Performance Opens on the 23rd

The production company Martin Entertainment announced on October 15 that the original musical "Hongryeon" will be licensed for export to China.

"Hongryeon" is scheduled to make its Chinese premiere at the Shanghai Gong Stage, a mid-sized theater with 770 seats, from October 23 to November 9.

Premiered in Korea in July last year, "Hongryeon" is a work that drew attention for its unique narrative, which combines the traditional Korean folktales "Janghwa Hongryeonjeon" and "Baridegi." The musical, which blends Korean traditional music and rock, has been praised as a model for the "Korean-style rock musical."

At the 9th Korea Musical Awards held in January this year, "Hongryeon" was nominated in eight categories, including Best Musical, Best Book, Best Direction, and Best Composition, and won the Best Musical (under 400 seats) award. The original creative team included writer Bae Si-hyun, composer Park Shinae, director Lee Junwoo, choreographer Kim Jin, and music director Lee Sungjun.

The Chinese licensed production of "Hongryeon" will not simply export the script and music; rather, it will be produced in a "replica" format that faithfully recreates the core creative elements of the Korean original, including arrangements, direction, and choreography. While some visual aspects such as stage design and costumes will be localized, the main elements that define the work's identity will be preserved in the form of the Korean production to maintain as much originality as possible. Local creators will be responsible for direction and music, but director Lee Junwoo and choreographer Kim Jin will also directly coach the local cast to reproduce the completeness of the Korean premiere.

Prior to the upcoming Shanghai performance, "Hongryeon" took a significant first step toward entering the Asian market by being officially invited to the "Cantonese Musical Nurturing Project" held at the Guangzhou Opera House from July 24 to 26, where it conducted a "creative and reading workshop."

Chinese producer Wang Zuo-wen said, "After watching 'Hongryeon' in Korea, I was deeply moved by the message of the work. I made great efforts to fully understand its meaning and subsequently worked closely with the Korean production company to develop the Chinese-language version. I hope that through this performance, Chinese audiences will also be able to experience the emotional impact of the original 'Hongryeon.'"

Ok Hanna, producer at Martin Entertainment, commented, "Since its premiere last year, 'Hongryeon' has continuously sought opportunities for expansion and exchange through amateur licensing and overseas advancement. This Shanghai performance, which was realized after extensive monitoring and collaboration over a long period, is a precious outcome of our belief that 'this story should be shared with more people.' I am very pleased that we can present a work that received so much love in Korea on the Asian stage."