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2012
ジャック・ザ・リッパー
Jack the Ripper (잭 더 리퍼) is a Korean re-creation of a Czech musical about the 1888 Whitechapel murders, rewritten for the Korean stage and later exported to Japan in its Korean-language version. The production became a notable example of a foreign-licensed musical revised so extensively that the Korean adaptation functioned as an independent work.
English:
Jack the Ripper
Korean:
잭 더 리퍼
Country: Japan | Language: Korean
🔗 All images are linked to their original sources or articles. No copyright ownership is claimed.
ORIGIN
Originally written in Czech by Vaso Patejdl (music) and Ivan Hejna (lyrics). The Korean version was developed by M Musical Company, with a substantially revised book and direction by Wang Yong-beom. It expanded the score, reframed the story around media sensationalism and social decay, and was staged from its premiere with overseas touring potential in mind.
STORY
Set in 1888 London, the musical follows Inspector Anderson as he investigates a series of murders attributed to the unidentified killer Jack the Ripper. Pressured by journalist Monroe and aided by a mysterious American surgeon, Daniel, Anderson is pulled into a moral and political labyrinth. The tone is gothic and psychological, depicting violence as both a literal crime and a spectacle demanded by society. The staging employs a rotating platform, large-scale ensemble scenes, and a dark orchestral score.
POSTER COLLECTION
Poster images are shown for documentation only. All rights belong to the original creators and producers.
KOREAN RUNS
2009–2010 Premiere – Universal Arts Center, Seoul (titled ‘살인마 잭’)
2010 Title changed to ‘Jack the Ripper’ and re-staged at Seongnam Arts Center
2012 National Theater of Korea revival, followed by repeated commercial runs including 10th-anniversary production (2019) and latest revival in 2021–2022
The musical has remained in regular circulation, supported by rotating star casts and sustained audience demand.
GLOBAL STAGINGS & ADAPTATIONS
Japan – Tokyo (2012)
Korean-language licensed tour stop
Aoyama Theatre, Sep 16 – Oct 8, 2012 (30 performances)
Co-produced by M Musical Company and Japanese partner Quaras, the production featured Shin Sungwoo, Yoo Jun-Sang, Um Ki-joon, and idol cast members Sungmin (Super Junior) and Song Seung-hyun (FT Island). It passed breakeven before opening and recorded an 81.5% paid seat rate, receiving wide press coverage and promoted explicitly as a Korea-origin staging rather than an import of the Czech version.
REFERENCES
NamuWiki – Korean production history overview
https://namu.wiki/w/%EC%9E%AD%20%EB%8D%94%20%EB%A6%AC%ED%8D%BC(%EB%AE%A4%EC%A7%80%EC%BB%AC)
Wikipedia (KR) – Background and export summary
https://ko.wikipedia.org/wiki/%EC%9E%AD_%EB%8D%94_%EB%A6%AC%ED%8D%BC_(%EB%AE%A4%EC%A7%80%EC%BB%AC)
NoCut News – Tokyo press conference coverage (2012)
https://www.nocutnews.co.kr/news/948868
Newis – Export announcement (2012)
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