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2023
サンキュー・ベリー・ストロベリー
Thank You Very Strawberry (땡큐 베리 스트로베리) is an original Korean musical about an elderly woman who slowly reconnects with life through an android companion. Since its 2018 premiere, the show has gained international visibility, including a 2019 industry showcase in Shanghai and a fully licensed Japanese production in 2023.
English:
Thank You Very Strawberry
Korean:
땡큐 베리 스트로베리
Country: Japan | Language: Japanese
🔗 All images are linked to their original sources or articles. No copyright ownership is claimed.
ORIGIN
2018, produced by Creative Y and IM Culture. Developed as a small-cast contemporary musical exploring loneliness, technology, and emotional healing, the piece blends warm storytelling with an intimate chamber-style score. It is frequently cited as a representative post-2015 Korean original musical that emphasizes character-driven narrative over large-scale spectacle.
STORY
Emma, an irritable and isolated elderly woman, spends her days alone until a government-issued helper robot arrives at her door. The robot, designed to study and respond to human emotion, gradually breaks down Emma’s defensive habits, leading her to confront buried memories and long-avoided grief. Their unlikely companionship is interrupted by a curious neighborhood boy, whose presence further pushes Emma toward emotional rediscovery. The musical blends humor, quiet nostalgia, and gentle sci-fi elements to explore the meaning of connection in an age of automation.
POSTER COLLECTION
Poster images are shown for documentation only. All rights belong to the original creators and producers.
KOREAN RUNS
2018 – Premiere, Creative Y, Art One Theater 2, Seoul (August 1 to October 28)
2021 – Revival, Creative Y, Seokyeong University SKON 1 Theater, Seoul (June 24 to August 29)
The title has since remained in circulation through licensed scripts, soundtrack releases, and workshop exports.
GLOBAL STAGINGS & ADAPTATIONS
China – Shanghai (2019)
Showcase presentation – K-Musical Roadshow, Shanghai Culture Square
Introduced through excerpted performance and promotional pitching as one of six Korean works selected for overseas development. Positioned the musical for future Mandarin-language licensing alongside Marie Curie, Ludwig, and Xcalibur.
Japan – Tokyo & Osaka (2023)
Licensed Japanese-language adaptation – Sunrise Produce
Premiered as 『サンキュー・ベリー・ストロベリー』 at Tokyo Metropolitan Theatre Theatre East (Apr 5–16, 2023), followed by Sankei Hall Breeze, Osaka (Apr 26–30, 2023). All performances sold out, receiving strong audience response for its emotional accessibility and small-ensemble format. Featured new direction, full Japanese cast, and localized dramaturgy while retaining the original Korean score.
REFERENCES
NamuWiki – Overview of Korean production history (Korean)
Interview365 – Coverage of 2019 K-Musical Roadshow in Shanghai (Korean)
https://www.interview365.com/news/articleView.html?idxno=88953
AllLightAssociate – Japanese production information (Japanese)
https://alllightassociate.com/works/3743.html
NewStage – Report on 2023 Japan premiere and ticket sales (Korean)
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