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2022
シデレウス
Sidereus (시데레우스) is a Korean original three-actor musical that dramatizes the scientific and personal exchanges between Galileo Galilei, Johannes Kepler, and Galileo’s daughter Maria at the moment heliocentrism challenged the worldview of 17th-century Europe. The work was later licensed for full productions in Japan and China in 2022.
English:
Sidereus
Korean:
시데레우스
Country: Japan | Language: Japanese
🔗 All images are linked to their original sources or articles. No copyright ownership is claimed.
ORIGIN
2019, written by Baek Seung-woo with music by Lee Yu-jung, produced by L’ang Company, premiered at Chungmu Arts Center Black Box, Seoul. Developed from an Arko–Korea National University of Arts workshop and reading process (2017), the musical compresses astronomy, faith, and intellectual rebellion into a chamber format, using letters, journals, and imagined dialogues as its dramatic frame.
STORY
The plot begins when Sister Maria receives a bundle of letters from her father, Galileo, all written by the unfamiliar name Kepler. The narrative moves back to 1598, when Kepler urges Galileo to investigate the structure of the universe, a proposal that forces Galileo to confront the forbidden heliocentric theory. As research, correspondence, and danger escalate, Maria’s perspective reveals the emotional and theological cost of scientific truth. The musical asks whether knowledge can advance without personal sacrifice, and whether the stars illuminate or isolate the humans who seek them.
POSTER COLLECTION
Poster images are shown for documentation only. All rights belong to the original creators and producers.
KOREAN RUNS
2019 – Premiere, L’ang Company, Chungmu Arts Center Black Box
The musical has been periodically restaged with updated casts and design and remains an active repertory title in Seoul.
GLOBAL STAGINGS & ADAPTATIONS
Japan – Tokyo (2022)
Licensed adaptation – Japanese-language production at Jiyu Theatre
Performed June 17–30, 2022, produced by LDH JAPAN with a rotating four-cast (“Quattro”) system. The adaptation preserved the original three-actor format and historical structure while localizing lyrics and dialogue for Japanese vocal style and delivery. Marketed as the Japanese debut of a Korean hit musical, the run targeted both musical-theatre audiences and LDH fan demographics.
China – Shanghai (2022)
Licensed adaptation – Chinese-language production at Shanghai Theatre
Opened August 13, 2022, presented by Shanghai Culture Square with original Korean director Kim Dong-yeon supervising the local remount. The staging retained the intimate scale of the Korean production while expanding lighting and multimedia elements for a larger venue. Marketed under the title 星际信使 (“Interstellar Messenger”), the production was promoted as a premium K-musical engagement with a limited 10-performance run.
REFERENCES
Namu Wiki – Korean production overview
https://namu.wiki/w/%EC%8B%9C%EB%8D%B0%EB%A0%88%EC%9A%B0%EC%8A%A4
Official Japan site – Jiyu Theatre production
Shangguan News – China premiere report
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