Representative Korean Production Poster
Story of Aesops
이솝이야기
Official English Title
SOURCE
folktale
SETTING
Foreign
BOOK
original
Inspired by the life of Aesop
Korean Premiere:
2024
Korean Premiere Theatre
Chungmu Arts Center Theater Black, Seoul
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References
Summary
An enslaved storyteller from Samos becomes Athens’ greatest merchant, then risks the journey home in an odyssey reimagining the birth of Aesop’s fables.
Origin & Development
Written, composed, and directed by Seo Younmi, the musical was selected through the 2022 Arts Council Korea Changjak Sansil script open call, presented as a reading in the 2023 New Work of the Year evaluation, and selected as a 2023 New Work of the Year. It premiered at the Chungmu Arts Center Theater Black in Seoul on February 16–April 14, 2024.
It was first seen abroad in a Japanese-language reading performance by the Tokyo company rit. at KIWA, Tennozu Isle, on April 18–19, 2025, followed by a Japanese licensed production at Theatre West, Tokyo Metropolitan Theatre, and Sankei Hall Breeze, Osaka, on July 12–August 9, 2026. In October 2026 it was one of eight new Korean musicals presented at K-Musical Pitching on Broadway in New York, organized by the Korea Arts Management Service, and one of three selected for the K-Musical Special Pitching at the 2026 NAMT Fall Conference.
Partial Synopsis
Born enslaved on the Greek island of Samos and gifted with the power of storytelling, Thymos grows up beside his friend Danae. Exiled to Athens by a jealous god of misfortune, he sets out on a journey to return to her, guided by warm-hearted people and unnamed gods, while spirits called the Whispers narrate the tale. He rises to become the greatest merchant in Athens and ultimately finds true love and freedom.
reading live Story of Aesops
2025
2025-04-18
to
2025-04-19
Production Type:
Reading / Showcase
Country:
Japan
City:
Tokyo
Language:
Japanese
Venue:
KIWA, Tennozu Isle
A Japanese-language reading performance, five performances in all, produced and presented by rit. The cast included Yoshihisa Higashiyama, Kazuya Kamikawa, Nana Kadota, Takumi Sato, and Yumiko Takahashi.
Story of Aesops 〜イソップ物語の物語〜
2026
2026-07-12
to
2026-08-09
Production Type:
Licensed
Country:
Japan
City:
Multiple Cities
Language:
Japanese
Venue:
Multiple Venues
A Japanese licensed production at Theatre West, Tokyo Metropolitan Theatre, and Sankei Hall Breeze, Osaka.
Story of Aesops
2026
2026-10-19
to
2026-10-19
Production Type:
Reading / Showcase
Country:
United States
City:
New York
Language:
English
Venue:
Ripley-Grier Studios
Pitched at K-Musical Pitching on Broadway, organized by the Korea Arts Management Service (KAMS) with the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism, one of eight new Korean musicals presented to New York producers, presenters, and industry executives in the Main Pitch Session.
Story of Aesops
2026
2026-10-21
to
2026-10-21
Production Type:
Reading / Showcase
Country:
United States
City:
New York
Language:
English
Venue:
Bruno Walter Auditorium, New York Public Library for the Performing Arts
One of three original Korean musicals selected by the Korea Arts Management Service (KAMS) for the Breakout: K-Musical Special Pitching at the 2026 NAMT Fall Conference. The writers and composers introduced the story, music, and goals for development in the U.S. and U.K. markets, with selected musical numbers, to NAMT members from across the United States.
Production Type Key — Letters grow with the scale of the production, from workshop to licensed production.
English Title Verification
Evidence for Official English Title
Story of Aesops | Captured: 2026-10-24
https://drive.google.com/drive/folders/1ulAs8_DJvSHwVV-_6m1X8i6kn4q8jHF1
Official English titles in this database are extracted only from primary sources. These include:
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materials released by the production company, credited creative team, or venue, including their official pages on social media, YouTube, and similar platforms;
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official English listings on ticketing sites;
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official industry events such as the K-Musical Market;
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interviews in which a creative team member clearly gives the English title.
English titles that appear only in translations by others, such as news articles, reviews, or fan materials, are not included as official titles. When no primary-source English title exists, the title is recorded as a literal translation and labeled on the left as either “Unofficial Third Party Usage Confirmed” or “No English Title Found,” depending on whether an English title has appeared in the media or elsewhere.
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