top of page

Hero

Official English Title.gif

2009

영웅

Hero (영웅) is a major Korean original musical portraying the final year of independence activist An Jung-geun, combining historical events with personal sacrifice and the pursuit of justice.

2009

​Posters included in this archive are embedded solely for documentary and educational purposes.

🔗 All images are linked to their original sources or articles. No copyright ownership is claimed.

SOURCE

biography

SETTING

Korea

BOOK

original

Productions in Korea

2009.10 LG Arts Center (Seoul)
2010.12 🔴 National Theater of Korea, Haeoreum Theater (Seoul)
2011.12 🔴 National Theater of Korea, Haeoreum Theater (Seoul)
2012.01 🔴 Seoul Arts Center Opera House (Seoul)
2012.10 🔴 Blue Square Samsung Electronics Hall (Seoul)
2014.01 🔴 Seoul Arts Center Opera House (Seoul)
2015.04 🔴 Blue Square Samsung Electronics Hall (Seoul)
2017.01 🔴 Sejong Center for the Performing Arts (Seoul)
2019.03 🔴 Sejong Center for the Performing Arts (Seoul)
2019.07 🔴 Seoul Arts Center Opera House (Seoul)
2022.12 🔴 LG Arts Center Seoul, LG SIGNATURE Hall (Seoul)
2023.03 🔴 Blue Square Shinhan Card Hall (Seoul)
2024.05 🔴 Sejong Center for the Performing Arts (Seoul)

🔴 = Large-scale production

SYNOPSIS

(Full Synopsis)

Set between 1909 and 1910 across Russia, Japan, and Harbin, the musical unfolds around the final mission of An Jung-geun and his fellow independence fighters as they prepare for a decisive act against Japanese imperial power.

The story begins with the “finger-cutting oath,” where An Jung-geun and eleven comrades pledge their lives to Korea’s independence. As Japan tightens its grip on the Korean peninsula, political figures led by Ito Hirobumi advance expansionist ambitions across East Asia.

Seol-hee, a former court lady traumatized by witnessing the assassination of Empress Myeongseong, joins a secret intelligence network and infiltrates Japanese circles as a geisha under the alias “Namida.” Meanwhile, An Jung-geun travels through Russia, reuniting with allies and organizing resistance efforts.

Amid growing tension, personal relationships unfold—Lingling, the sister of An’s Chinese ally, develops feelings for him, while Seol-hee struggles between her mission and the emotional complexity of her interactions with Ito. As Japanese forces intensify their pursuit, sacrifices mount, culminating in Lingling’s death while protecting An.

With time running out, An and his comrades split into strategic positions to ensure the success of their plan. Seol-hee attempts to assassinate Ito but fails, ultimately choosing death over betrayal. Finally, at Harbin Station on October 26, 1909, An Jung-geun carries out the historic assassination of Ito Hirobumi.

Following his arrest, An defends his actions in court with unwavering conviction. In prison, he writes his vision for peace in East Asia, inspiring even his Japanese guard. Facing execution on March 26, 1910, he meets his death with dignity, reaffirming his belief that sacrifice for one’s country is a soldier’s duty.

PRODUCTION NOTE

Premiering in 2009 at LG Arts Center to commemorate the centennial of An Jung-geun’s assassination, the musical was produced by Acom International and directed by Yoon Ho-jin. With music by Oh Sang-jun, the production became one of Korea’s most successful original musicals, surpassing one million audience members. It has been staged internationally, including at David H. Koch Theater, and adapted into a film released in 2022.

POSTER COLLECTION

Poster images are provided for documentation purposes only and link to their original sources. All rights remain with the original creators and producers.

🔴 indicates Seoul large-theatre productions.

REFERENCES

Synopsis Sources

     

The Musical – Hero Detail

https://www.themusical.co.kr/Musical/Detail?num=1503

     

NamuWiki – Hero Musical

https://namu.wiki/w/%EC%98%81%EC%9B%85(%EB%AE%A4%EC%A7%80%EC%BB%AC)

     

     

Articles & Reviews

     

Wikipedia – Hero Musical History

https://ko.wikipedia.org/wiki/%EC%98%81%EC%9B%85_(%EB%AE%A4%EC%A7%80%EC%BB%AC)

     

Sejong Center – 15th Anniversary

https://www.sejongpac.or.kr/portal/performance/performance/performTicket.do?performIdx=35104&menuNo=200320

     

Daum – Film Adaptation

https://v.daum.net/v/751Y8cwM7k

     

OhmyNews – Production Success

https://www.ohmynews.com/NWS_Web/View/at_pg.aspx?CNTN_CD=A0001292130

     

Metro Seoul – Review

https://www.metroseoul.co.kr/article/2017012500134

     

     

Related Pages (Musicals of Korea)

     

Hero – New York Run

https://www.musicalsofkorea.com/k-musicals-in-the-west2/2011_hero

     

Hero – China Run

https://www.musicalsofkorea.com/k-musicals-worldwide-non-english/201502-hero-cn

favicon_new.png

© 2026 Musicals of Korea

All rights reserved. Unauthorized use is prohibited. Excerpts and links may be used with full credit and a clear link to the original content.

Last update: March 17, 2026

bottom of page