2021
徽因
Toward (Toward_내일을 사는 여자, 휘인) is a Korea–Taiwan co-produced musical dramatizing the life of Lin Huiyin, a pioneering writer, architect, and cultural figure of 1930s China. Premiering in Taiwan in 2021 and later invited to Korea’s DIMF festival, the work has become a notable example of post-pandemic international co-production in the Asian musical market.
English:
Toward
Korean:
Toward_내일을 사는 여자, 휘인
Country: Taiwan | Language: Chinese
🔗 All images are linked to their original sources or articles. No copyright ownership is claimed.
ORIGIN
Developed during the COVID-19 period as a long-distance collaboration between Korea’s Run for Your Life Theatre Company and Taiwan’s Guangyi Foundation, Toward was written by Han Areum and directed by Seo Jae-hyeong. The production was created using bilingual rehearsal processes and joint funding from Taiwan’s cultural foundations and Korean musical institutions. The musical was first staged in November 2021 at the National Taichung Theater, with a cast led by Taiwanese musical star Chen Pin-ling.
STORY
Set in 1930s Republican China, the musical follows the life of Lin Huiyin, an architect, poet, and cultural reformer who challenged the restrictions placed on women of her era. The narrative unfolds through letters addressed to four central figures in her life—Liang Sicheng, Jin Yuelin, Xu Zhimo, and Bing Xin—framing themes of love, intellectual freedom, artistic creation, and personal endurance. The score consists of 22 original songs blending contemporary musical theatre writing with period atmosphere, depicting how Huiyin pursued her ideals despite social norms, illness, and public scrutiny.
POSTER COLLECTION
Poster images are shown for documentation only. All rights belong to the original creators and producers.
KOREAN RUNS
South Korea, 2021Toward was presented as an official invited work at the 15th Daegu International Musical Festival (DIMF), marking its Korean premiere. Staged at Ayang Art Center in June 2021, the production was promoted as the first full Korea–Taiwan joint musical developed entirely through online collaboration during the pandemic. The DIMF staging functioned as the “world premiere” announcement before the full Taiwanese run later that year.
GLOBAL STAGINGS & ADAPTATIONS
Taiwan – Taichung (2021)
Co-production – Mandarin-language world premiere
Premiered at the National Taichung Theater (Nov 12–14, 2021) under the title 徽因 (Huiyin), produced by Guangyi Foundation in partnership with udnFunLife and C MUSICAL. Marketed as a post-pandemic cultural milestone, the staging introduced 22 original musical numbers and positioned Lin Huiyin as a modern feminist and architectural icon. Ticketing was handled through OPENTIX, and the production received strong mainstream media coverage.
Taiwan – Taipei & Taichung (2023)
Revival – Guangyi Theatre No.5, in partnership with Daegu International Musical Festival
Restaged in 2023 with returning principal cast and promotional support from Taiwanese theatre artists and media figures. Presented as Guangyi Theatre No.5: Huiyin, the revival played in Taipei and Taichung and was marketed as a continued Korea–Taiwan co-production rather than a Korean import, reinforcing the title’s regional theatrical identity.
REFERENCES
Central News Agency (Taiwan) – 2021 premiere announcement
https://www.cna.com.tw/postwrite/chi/303559
OPENTIX – official ticketing page for 2021 Taichung premiere
https://opentix.life/event/1686992454911926273
DIMF (Daegu International Musical Festival) – Korean performance listing
https://dimf.or.kr/portal/festival/view.do?mId=0203000000&searchType=001&idx=142
KOFICE – Taiwan correspondent report on premiere / production background
https://kofice.or.kr/c30correspondent/c30_correspondent_02_view.asp?seq=20740
Yeongnam Ilbo – Korean news coverage of Taiwan staging and tour plans
