2023
不思議な家
The Mysterious House (신비한 가(家)) is a Korean gugak-based musical produced by the Daejeon Yeonjeong Korean Traditional Music Center and presented internationally as part of the K-Musical Roadshow in Tokyo. The work does not have an officially designated English title; “The Mysterious House” is used here as a literal translation.
English:
The Mysterious House
Korean:
신비한 가(家)
Country: Japan | Language: Korean
🔗 All images are linked to their original sources or articles. No copyright ownership is claimed.
ORIGIN
The musical premiered in 2022 as a production of the Daejeon Yeonjeong Korean Traditional Music Center, with book by Kim Tae-rin and music by Choi Hee-young. Developed through a public–private collaboration model combining a municipal arts institution and a private creative company, the work was created as part of a national cultural arts support initiative. It is based on the stage play Mysterious Restaurant: One Hundred Year Noodles, which reinterprets everyday Korean life and folk beliefs through a contemporary lens.
STORY
Set in an abandoned kalguksu restaurant left behind after its owner’s death, the story follows the return of the owner’s daughter, who plans to sell the property. As she arrives, household guardian spirits emerge and attempt to prevent the restaurant’s disappearance by orchestrating its revival. Blending humor, warmth, and fantasy, the musical reflects on the emotional and cultural value of everyday spaces often overlooked in modern life. Traditional Korean beliefs surrounding household deities are interwoven with contemporary family themes, supported by a musical language that fuses traditional Korean music (gugak) with modern musical elements.
POSTER COLLECTION
Poster images are shown for documentation only. All rights belong to the original creators and producers.
KOREAN RUNS
2022 – Premiere production, Daejeon Yeonjeong Korean Traditional Music Center, Little Hall
2023 – Revival, Daejeon Yeonjeong Korean Traditional Music Center, Little Hall
2024 – Expanded production, Daejeon Yeonjeong Korean Traditional Music Center, Big Hall
GLOBAL STAGINGS & ADAPTATIONS
Japan, 2023
Cultural exchange showcase – Korean-language digest presentation as part of K-Musical Roadshow
The work was presented on December 14, 2023, at I'M A SHOW in Yurakucho, Tokyo, as part of the K-Musical Roadshow in Tokyo organized by the Korea Arts Management Support Center. Selected through the 2023 K-Musical International Market, the production was introduced alongside four other Korean musicals in a curated showcase format. Cast and creative representatives participated in a digest performance and networking sessions with Japanese producers and industry professionals. The presentation marked the musical’s first international introduction and positioned it as a candidate for future exchange or adaptation within the Japanese market.
REFERENCES
K-Musical Roadshow in Tokyo official schedule – event information
https://imashow.jp/schedule/718/
Busan News – selection for 2023 K-Musical Roadshow in Asia
http://www.bsnews.kr/news/articleView.html?idxno=60370
Daejeon Yeonjeong Korean Traditional Music Center – official performance listing
https://www.daejeon.go.kr/kmusic/kmsPublicPerformanceView.do?pblprfrInfoId=1153
NicoNico News – K-Musical Roadshow in Tokyo coverage
https://spice.eplus.jp/articles/324715
News Daily – K-Musical Roadshow in Tokyo featuring showcases of five musicals
https://www.newdaily.co.kr/site/data/html/2023/12/13/2023121300037.html
