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2017
Harmony
Harmony (하모니) is a Korean original musical adapted from the 2010 hit film of the same name, depicting incarcerated women who form a prison choir to heal, forgive, and rediscover hope through music. The work has been positioned for international exposure through its selection in the 2017 K-Musical Road Show in Hong Kong, marking an early step toward overseas exchange.
English:
Harmony
Korean:
하모니
Country: Hong Kong | Language: Korean
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ORIGIN
Harmony premiered in 2017 as a Korean original musical based on the film Harmony directed by Kang Dae-gyu, which drew over five million viewers in Korea. The stage version opened at the Jayu Small Theatre, Seoul Arts Center, and was developed as a chamber musical suited to small and mid-sized venues. From its inception, the production emphasized emotional realism, ensemble harmony, and participatory performance elements involving local choirs. The musical has since been performed nationwide, primarily in small theaters, through the mid-2020s.
STORY
Set in a women’s prison, Harmony follows inmates serving heavy sentences who come together to form a choir. Through shared rehearsals and performances, the women confront their personal trauma, guilt, and longing for family. The narrative focuses on motherhood, forgiveness, and solidarity, balancing tearful emotion with moments of warmth and collective joy. Musically, the show centers on choral writing supported by character-driven solo numbers, creating an intimate and cathartic tone.
POSTER COLLECTION
Poster images are shown for documentation only. All rights belong to the original creators and producers.
KOREAN RUNS
2017 – Premiere, Seoul Arts Center Jayu Small Theatre
Produced as a small-theater musical and continuously revived in regional and local venues across Korea through 2025
Recognized for its participatory format involving local and amateur choirs alongside professional performers
GLOBAL STAGINGS & ADAPTATIONS
Hong Kong, 2017
Cultural exchange showcase – Korean-language excerpts presented at an official industry event
Harmony was selected as one of six Korean original musicals showcased at the 2017 K-Musical Road Show held on November 28–29, 2017 at Youth Square in Hong Kong. Organized by the Korea Arts Management Support Center with support from the Korean government, the event marked Korea’s first official large-scale musical exchange with Asian markets including Hong Kong, China, Taiwan, and Singapore. Excerpts from Harmony highlighted its participatory choir concept, in which local choirs and citizen performers join professional casts, positioning the work as a model for community-based musical theater export. The showcase served as an industry-facing platform rather than a commercial run, introducing the title to Asian presenters and producers as part of Korea’s broader musical export strategy.
REFERENCES
Donus Box – Musical Harmony overview
https://box.donus.org/box/jjcf/musical-harmony
Sohu – 2017 K-Musical Road Show coverage
https://www.sohu.com/a/206669597_805907
AMcreative / Central News Agency – 2017 K-Musical Road Show report
https://www.amgroup.com.tw/DOC_2668.htm
YouTube – Festive Korea: K-Musical Roadshow 2017
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