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2023
Trace U
Trace U (트레이스 유) is a Korean two-actor rock musical set in a club environment, known for its long-running success in Daehangno and its flexible, performer-dependent structure. Its Japanese premiere in 2023 marked the first full overseas licensed production of the work.
English:
Trace U
Korean:
트레이스 유
Country: Japan | Language: Japanese
🔗 All images are linked to their original sources or articles. No copyright ownership is claimed.
ORIGIN
Trace U was created by writer and lyricist Yun Ji-yul with music by Park Jung-ah, and was originally directed by Kim Dal-joong. The musical premiered in 2012 following a preview run at Culture Space N-U, with its official premiere at Artone Theater 1 in Daehangno. Originally produced by Jangin Entertainment, production later transitioned to Studio Sunday, which has overseen its continued revivals. Conceived as a two-hander rock musical, Trace U developed a reputation for intensive audience immersion and multiple casting combinations.
STORY
Set in a small rock club near Hongdae, the musical follows two men, Woo-bin and Bon-ha, whose relationship unfolds through live rock performances and psychological confrontation. As Bon-ha becomes obsessed with a woman who once visited the club, the narrative reveals fractures in memory, identity, and control. Medication, performance, and testimony blur into one another as the story moves toward a hospital setting. The work combines hard rock with psychological drama, maintaining ambiguity rather than offering a single fixed resolution.
POSTER COLLECTION
Poster images are shown for documentation only. All rights belong to the original creators and producers.
KOREAN RUNS
2012 – Preview and premiere, produced by Jangin Entertainment
Trace U has been revived continuously in Daehangno, reaching its seventh Korean run by 2025–2026 under Studio Sunday. The production has been staged across multiple small and mid-sized venues, becoming one of the longest-running two-actor rock musicals in Korea.
GLOBAL STAGINGS & ADAPTATIONS
Japan, 2023
Licensed adaptation – Japanese-language production
The Japanese premiere of Trace U opened at Asakusa Ku-Gekijo (Asakusa Nine Theater) in Tokyo from August 4 to September 3, 2023. Produced by the Musical “TRACE U” Production Committee, the staging adopted a 360-degree immersive format that integrated the audience into the club setting. The production featured a triple-team rotating cast, including Eisuke Tsuda, Tetsuji Sakakibara, Kazuya Seto, Hayate Uzuki, and Yujiro Kazama, with multiple combinations across performances. This marked the first international licensed production of Trace U and introduced the work to Japanese audiences through a localized script and direction while retaining its rock-driven structure.
REFERENCES
Namu Wiki – Korean production history and credits
https://namu.wiki/w/%ED%8A%B8%EB%A0%88%EC%9D%B4%EC%8A%A4%20%EC%9C%A0
All Light Associate – Japanese production overview
https://alllightassociate.com/works/3814.html
TRACE U Japan Official Site – Cast and performance information
SPICE (eplus) – Japanese premiere report and stage photos
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