top of page
2025
Siddhartha
Siddhartha (싯다르타) is a Korean musical dramatizing the six-year journey of Gautama Siddhartha from royal prince to enlightened teacher. Its international performances, especially in India, highlight the show’s cultural resonance across Buddhist communities.
ORIGIN
2019, creators MSMC, premiered at Woori Financial Art Hall in Seoul. Developed as a large-scale Buddhist musical focusing on the historical and spiritual life of Gautama Siddhartha, the production was conceived around the symbolic trees associated with his birth, asceticism, and enlightenment. The show has expanded into a multi-season format, emphasizing educational value, spiritual storytelling, and cross-cultural presentation.
STORY
Set in the ancient Kapila kingdom, the story follows Prince Siddhartha, prophesied either to become a universal monarch or to attain enlightenment. Sheltered by his father to ensure a royal future, he encounters sickness, aging, and death for the first time and begins questioning human suffering. Leaving behind his wife, family, and title, he embarks on a six-year quest involving asceticism, struggle, and meditation, ultimately discovering the Middle Way and achieving awakening. The tone blends historical narrative with spiritual adventure, portraying his journey toward compassion and wisdom.
POSTER COLLECTION
Poster images are shown for documentation only. All rights belong to the original creators and producers.
KOREAN RUNS
2019 – Premiere at Woori Financial Art Hall, produced by MSMC
Annual runs through 2024, culminating in Season 6
Recognized for introducing Buddhist narrative and educational themes to contemporary musical theatre
GLOBAL STAGINGS & ADAPTATIONS
Vietnam, 2025
Cultural exchange gala performance at Vesak Day Vietnam 2025 (May 5 and 7)
Siddhartha was invited to perform at the opening events of Vesak Day, a UN-designated international Buddhist celebration held in Ho Chi Minh City with participation from over 80 countries. The production presented a 30-minute condensed gala version and was the only musical selected for performance. The appearance marked the musical’s first step toward a global tour and demonstrated strong reception among international Buddhist communities.
Vietnam, 2025
Cultural event performance at the 6th Seoul International Meditation Expo (Vietnam delegation)
On September 25, 2025, Siddhartha performed three numbers at the opening ceremony: Rahula, The End of Suffering, and Not Alone. The event strengthened cultural ties and showcased the musical’s spiritual themes to an international audience.
India, 2025–2026
Korean-language and multilingual cultural exchange run
Beginning in November 2025, Siddhartha launched its first overseas tour with performances in New Delhi at Bharat Mandapam, followed by scheduled runs in Mumbai and Bodh Gaya. Six Indian actors joined the cast, delivering major dialogue in Hindi and significantly enhancing local resonance. The production drew attention as the first privately organized Korean musical to stage a full-scale production in India, the birthplace of Siddhartha, highlighting cultural significance and audience engagement.
REFERENCES
NamuWiki – overview article
https://namu.wiki/w/%EC%8B%AF%EB%8B%A4%EB%A5%B4%ED%83%80(%EB%AE%A4%EC%A7%80%EC%BB%AC)
KBS News – report on India premiere
https://news.kbs.co.kr/news/pc/view/view.do?ncd=8425822
BookMyShow India – event listing
https://in.bookmyshow.com/plays/k-culture-musical-siddhartha-the-life-of-buddha/ET00471594
Korean Cultural Centre India – announcement
https://india.korean-culture.org/en/1274/board/414/read/139696
Instagram – official MSMC update
bottom of page








