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2022
阴天
Gloomy Day (사의 찬미) — also known in Korea as Hymn of Death — is a Korean original chamber musical about writer Kim Woo-jin and soprano Yoon Shin-deok’s fateful 1926 disappearance, reframed as a taut, mystery-tinged love–death duet with a third, fictional man. The title Gloomy Day was used in early Korean runs and in the work’s Chinese export, which received full licensed productions in Shanghai in 2022 and 2024.
English:
Gloomy Day
Korean:
사의 찬미
Country: China | Language: Chinese
🔗 All images are linked to their original sources or articles. No copyright ownership is claimed.
ORIGIN
2013, produced by NEO Production, premiered at Daehakro Culture Space Feeling Hall (now TOM 1). Initially staged under the title Gloomy Day (2013–2014), the work was refined and retitled Hymn of Death from 2015 onward; it retains a live trio (piano, violin, cello), dark thriller tone, and a continuous, intermissionless structure.
STORY
At 4:00 a.m. on August 4, 1926, the Kanpu ferry cuts through the strait; by dawn, Kim Woo-jin and Yoon Shin-deok have vanished into the sea. The musical braids past (1921 Tokyo) and present (1926 aboard ship) as a nameless Man—part narrator, part tempter—enters their lives, steering art, love, and rumor toward catastrophe. As authorship blurs and choice collides with fate, the piece asks whether freedom can be seized in a world that scripts your ending.
POSTER COLLECTION
Poster images are shown for documentation only. All rights belong to the original creators and producers.
KOREAN RUNS
2013 – Premiere, NEO Production, Daehakro Culture Space Feeling Hall (now TOM 1)
The musical has recurred in multiple revivals, including a 10th-anniversary engagement, and remains an active repertory title.
GLOBAL STAGINGS & ADAPTATIONS
China – Shanghai (2022)
Licensed adaptation – Chinese-language production at Shanghai Gong Stage
Premiered July 22, 2022, presented by Shanghai Zhijing Culture Communication Co. (first and second rounds recorded on Douban). Staged under the localized title 阴天 (“Gloomy Day”), the production retained the original live-string instrumentation and mystery framing while fully adapting dialogue and character tone for Chinese audiences.
China – Shanghai (2024)
Licensed adaptation – Chinese-language revival at Theatre Above
Ran June 21–30, 2024, continuing the Shanghai presentation of 阴天 (“Gloomy Day”). Announced through the Korean director’s social media, the revival maintained the established Chinese branding and demonstrated sustained demand for the title in the local market.
REFERENCES
Namu Wiki – Korean production overview
https://namu.wiki/w/%EC%82%AC%EC%9D%98%20%EC%B0%AC%EB%AF%B8(%EB%AE%A4%EC%A7%80%EC%BB%AC)
Douban – Shanghai Chinese version listing (2022)
https://www.douban.com/location/drama/36010141/
Baidu Baike – Chinese licensed production entry
https://baike.baidu.com/item/%E9%98%B4%E5%A4%A9/62757679
Instagram – Director announcement for 2024 Shanghai run
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