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2011
不莱梅的乐队
Bremen Music Corps (브레멘 음악대) is a Korean original family musical that premiered in 2006 and went on to become one of the most frequently restaged children’s musicals in Korea throughout the late 2000s and early 2010s. Although its overseas reach was limited, it achieved two notable export cases: an invited Korean-language performance in Bremen, Germany in 2009, and the opening production of the Shanghai International Children’s Theatre Festival in 2011.
English:
Bremen Music Corps
Korean:
브레멘 음악대
Country: China | Language: Korean/Chinese
🔗 All images are linked to their original sources or articles. No copyright ownership is claimed.
ORIGIN
Produced by singer-turned-theatre-producer Yoo Yeol and his company Youl Entertainment, the musical was developed with the goal of creating a high-quality, story-driven stage work specifically for children and family audiences. Based on the Brothers Grimm fairy tale, the show reimagined the familiar narrative with original music, lively choreography, and a staging concept that emphasized visual storytelling, constant scene transitions, and four distinct animal characters. The production was refined each year rather than frozen in a single version, gradually evolving into a recognizable touring title within Korea.
STORY
Four aging, abandoned animals decide to travel to Bremen, believing they can find a new life through music. Their journey takes them across different lands, where they confront discouragement, form friendships, and discover their own worth. While the musical preserves the structure of the original tale, it places stronger emphasis on themes of self-esteem, cooperation, and the belief that “nothing is impossible when we are together.” The tone is playful and accessible, designed for young viewers without relying on didactic narration.
POSTER COLLECTION
Poster images are shown for documentation only. All rights belong to the original creators and producers.
KOREAN RUNS
The show premiered at Jeongdong Theater in 2006 and continued to tour mid-sized venues throughout Korea for nearly a decade. By 2011, it had surpassed 350,000 cumulative attendees with paid seat occupancy rates above 75 percent, establishing itself as a long-running domestic family title. A 2011 revision removed the onstage storyteller and strengthened visual and video-based transitions to appeal to both children and accompanying adults. Performances continued intermittently through 2015.
GLOBAL STAGINGS & ADAPTATIONS
Germany – Bremen (2009)
Korean-language performance with German surtitles
The production was invited by the Bremen state government and performed in Korean with German surtitles, accompanied by a local narrator. German press described the event as a reversal of cultural flow, bringing a Korean stage adaptation of a German folk tale back to its country of origin. The use of Korean actors performing the story in their own language was emphasized as a defining feature of the engagement.
China – Shanghai (2011)
Korean-language engagement – opening production of the Shanghai International Children’s Theatre Festival
The musical opened the 2011 Shanghai International Children’s Theatre Festival, the first time a Korean original musical had been selected to inaugurate the event. The staging retained the Korean cast but incorporated both Korean and Chinese dialogue for accessibility. Conversations about a future Chinese-cast tour followed, though later performances have not been fully confirmed.
REFERENCES
Uijeongbu Arts Center press release (2011)
https://www.uac.or.kr/newuac/community/community_05D.php?NUMBER=82
BILD – “The Bremen Town Musicians sing in Korean” (2009)
https://www.bild.de/regional/bremen/bremer-stadtmusikanten-singen-auf-koreanisch-8555824.bild.html
Shanghai Journal interview with Yoo Yeol (2011)
http://www.shanghaibang.com/shanghai/news.php?mode=view&num=27291
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