Sunfish
🟦 Korean Theme
Korean Premiere
2013: Daegu Opera House, Daegu
International Runs
2011: Stoneham Theater, Boston, USA
Posters included are either from my personal collection or embedded solely for documentary and educational purposes.
🔗 All images are linked to their original sources or articles. No copyright ownership is claimed.
🌞 Sunfish – A Korean Folktale on Western Stages
🎭 Sunfish is an American musical based on the Korean folktale Sim-Chung, with music by Hyeyoung Kim and book and lyrics by Michael Cooper. The story follows a devoted daughter who sacrifices everything to restore her blind father’s sight — a tale of filial love, resilience, and transformation.
📍 The show premiered at the Stoneham Theatre in Massachusetts from February 10 to 27, 2011, marking its first fully staged production. It later gained international recognition when it opened the Daegu International Musical Theatre Festival (DIMF) in June 2013, where it was awarded Top Jury Honor.
🌐 Although American in origin, Sunfish represents a successful Western interpretation of Korean cultural themes. It was developed over nearly a decade through readings, workshops, and showcases in New York, Georgia, and Massachusetts, and received support from the Jonathan Larson Performing Arts Foundation, ASCAP, and National Alliance for Musical Theatre.
🎶 In May 2013, a concert titled “One Night Only: Songs from Sunfish” was presented at Lincoln Center’s Bruno Walter Auditorium, reflecting its growing recognition in U.S. musical circles.
📙References
📚 Included as part of this archive for its Korean production involvement — documenting works with verified Korean participation on U.S. and U.K. stages.
Video Clips & Media Highlights
This section provides visual context for Korean musicals staged or developed abroad — including productions, showcases, interviews, and media features. English or subtitled clips are included where available. For works with clear Korean origins (e.g. Maybe Happy Ending, The Last Empress, L’art Reste), videos highlight cultural roots or adaptations.