top of page
2024
狂焰奏鳴曲
Mad Flame Sonata (광염소나타) is a Korean original thriller musical inspired by Kim Dong-in’s novel, blending live chamber music and psychological horror in the story of a composer who gains inspiration through death. Since its 2017 premiere, the show has built a recurring multi-season run in Korea and expanded internationally through licensed productions in Japan and China.
English:
Mad Flame Sonata
Korean:
광염소나타
Country: China | Language: Chinese
🔗 All images are linked to their original sources or articles. No copyright ownership is claimed.
ORIGIN
Premiered in 2017, produced by Asia Bridge Contents, based on the novel 광염소나타 by Kim Dong-in. The musical was first introduced through a tryout production in February 2017 before its official premiere two months later. Scored for piano, violin, and cello performed live onstage, the show emphasizes the destructive pursuit of artistic genius, with actors playing instruments as part of the staging. Subsequent Korean revivals were produced by Synth Wave and later by Yeonwoo Stage and Romantic Barricade.
STORY
J, a young composer once hailed as a prodigy, has not written a single piece since his acclaimed debut work. Obsessed with surpassing his past success, he turns to the renowned Professor K for guidance, but continues to fail under pressure. After witnessing a fatal accident, J experiences an overwhelming surge of inspiration and completes the first movement of a new sonata overnight. K realizes that J’s creativity is triggered by death and urges him to kill again in order to finish the work. As J’s sanity breaks and the murders escalate toward the final movement, his longtime friend S becomes the next target. The musical asks whether a masterpiece born from blood can ever be called art.
POSTER COLLECTION
Poster images are shown for documentation only. All rights belong to the original creators and producers.
KOREAN RUNS
2017 – Premiere, Asia Bridge Contents, JTN Art Hall 1
Recurring revivals: 2019 (Synth Wave, SMTOWN Theatre), 2020 (Synth Wave, Daehakro Uniplex 1), 2023 (Yeonwoo Stage and Romantic Barricade, Dream Art Center 1), 2024 (Yes24 Stage 1)
Developed from a 2017 tryout at Art One Theater 1
Known for continuous restagings with new casts and live trio accompaniment
GLOBAL STAGINGS & ADAPTATIONS
Japan – Tokyo (2024)
Licensed Japanese-language production at Shinagawa Prince Hotel Stellar Ball
Staged February 2–11, 2024, starring Hiroki Ino, Taishi Sugie, and Hiroshi Hatanaka, directed by Watanabe Satsuki. Marketed as the official Japanese premiere, the production featured live piano, violin, and cello and highlighted the musical’s Korean cult status and blend of classical motifs with psychological descent.
China – Shanghai (2024)
Licensed Chinese-language production at Star Theater Dome (星空間·星空穹頂劇場)
Ran July 6–31, 2024, promoted as a dark suspense musical combining live performance with thriller-driven staging. Positioned as a high-intensity music drama for crossover audiences, with standard commercial pricing (299–499 RMB) and marketing focused on its psychological tension and Korean origin.
REFERENCES
Namu Wiki – Korean production history
https://namu.wiki/w/%EA%B4%91%EC%97%BC%EC%86%8C%EB%82%98%ED%83%80(%EB%AE%A4%EC%A7%80%EC%BB%AC)
Plus A Magazine – Japan 2024 premiere announcement
https://www.plusa-theater.com/?p=15807
Official Japanese site – Mad Flame Sonata 2024
Trip.com – Shanghai 2024 listing
bottom of page