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2013
寻找初恋
Finding Mr. Destiny (김종욱 찾기) is a long-running Korean romantic-comedy musical about a woman searching for her first love and the agency that helps track him down. The show became one of Korea’s representative small-theatre originals and later expanded internationally through both licensed and Korean-language performances in Japan, China, Taiwan, and Hong Kong.
English:
Finding Mr Destiny
Korean:
김종욱 찾기
Country: China | Language: Chinese
Review
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ORIGIN
Premiered in 2006 at Daehak-ro, Seoul, created by writer Lee Ji-hye and composer Kim Hye-sung. The show quickly became a steady long-run title, surpassing 1 million cumulative audience members and inspiring a 2010 Korean film adaptation starring Im Soo-jung and Gong Yoo. Known for its two-actor quick-change comic format and nostalgic storytelling, the musical established new export potential for small-scale Korean works.
STORY
The musical follows a woman who is unable to forget the man she met on a trip to India years ago, and a man, the founder of “Finding Your First Love Agency.” Their comedic search for “Kim Jong-wook” unfolds across train stations, airports, and memories, mixing humor, pop-ballad songs, and a cameleon-like "multi-man" actor who transforms into approximately 20 different characters. Beneath the comedy, the show highlights emotional themes of timing, regret, and the idea that destiny sometimes grows from coincidence, not fate.
POSTER COLLECTION
Poster images are shown for documentation only. All rights belong to the original creators and producers.
KOREAN RUNS
2006 – World premiere, Daehak-ro, Seoul
2006–present – Multiple long-run productions and revivals, becoming a representative Korean small-theatre musical with more than 1.1 million total attendees.
2010 – Adapted into full-length feature film (CJ Entertainment), broadening mainstream recognition.
Ongoing – Continues to be performed in Daehak-ro with rotating casts.
GLOBAL STAGINGS & ADAPTATIONS
Japan – Tokyo (2013)
Korean-language tour stop
Zepp Blue Theater Roppongi, Nov 13–30, 2013
Produced by Amuse Musical Theatre and featuring Yunhak (Supernova) in his first post-military musical appearance in Japan. Introduced the original Korean staging to Japanese audiences prior to later licensed adaptations.
China – Mainland (2013)
Licensed Chinese-language adaptation
First Korean musical officially licensed for performance in mainland China
Staged in Chinese after script adaptation, marking an early milestone in the Korean musical export market. (Venue and run details to be added once confirmed.)
Japan – Multiple Cities (2016)
Licensed Japanese-language adaptation
Presented in Tokyo, Osaka, Fukuoka, and Toyohashi, continuing into repeat seasons over three consecutive years. Received strong audience response for its fast comedic pacing and fully localized casting.
Taiwan – Taipei (2019)
Korean-language engagement announced by CJ ENM
Aug 29 – Sep 22, 2019
Presented without localization at the request of local presenters, citing Taiwanese audiences’ preference for Korean-language originals. Press noted the title’s 13-year anniversary and continued box-office strength in Korea.
Hong Kong (2024)
Mandarin-language staging under the title 《尋找完美先生》 (“Finding Mr. Perfect”)
Produced with a local cast and localized text as part of a musical programming series. Marketing emphasized the “first-love search” premise. (Additional production details pending confirmation.)
REFERENCES
2013 Japan – Amuse Musical Theatre announcement and ticket listing
https://stage.corich.jp/stage/50005
2019 Taiwan – Yonhap News (Korean-language original staging in Taipei)
https://cn.yna.co.kr/view/ACK20190729001500881
2024 Hong Kong – Art-Mate program listing for 《尋找完美先生》
https://www.art-mate.net/doc/77214
2013 China – Douban performance archive for 《寻找初恋》 (licensed version)
https://www.douban.com/location/drama/24536706/
2018 Japan tour notice – KBS News (Tokyo, Fukuoka, Toyohashi, Osaka)
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