04 Language

Musicals in Korea are typically performed in Korean, with all songs and dialogues translated from the original language. Translators often adapt idioms, jokes, or cultural references so they resonate with local audiences. In some cases, these “Koreanized” touches add humor or relatability, but they can also shift the tone or dilute the original nuance. Wordplay, rhymes, or double meanings—so central in works like Hadestown or Wicked—are especially challenging to preserve in translation.

Tours presented by original production teams from Broadway or the West End, by contrast, are generally performed in their native languages, most often English. Korean audiences follow along through electronic surtitles, displayed on side or overhead screens. While this method preserves the integrity of the original text, it can create a dual experience: non-Korean speakers focus directly on the performance, while Korean speakers divide their attention between surtitles and the stage.

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A growing number of Korean theatregoers also attend with strong English comprehension, allowing them to appreciate lyrics and dialogue more directly. Nevertheless, surtitles remain essential for accessibility. This linguistic divide highlights a broader cultural balance in the Korean musical scene—between fully localized productions that prioritize immersion and imported tours that emphasize fidelity to the source material.