Original musicals make up a vibrant part of Korea’s theater scene, accounting for roughly 30% of the musical market — nearly double the number of licensed productions each year. Landmark works such as Hero, The Last Empress, The Man Who Laughs, and Maybe Happy Ending have gained wide recognition and even international runs. At the same time, Korea’s original musicals continue to thrive in small and mid-sized theaters, where bold storytelling and creative staging flourish.

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I also include changgeuk productions, such as Sim Cheong (Changgeuk), within this section. Changgeuk is a modernized form of traditional Korean pansori opera. While closer to opera than to musical theatre in form, it represents Korea’s own original narrative stage tradition, and contemporary productions often reinterpret classic stories with ambitious staging and thematic twists.

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This page features a selection of Korean original musicals and changgeuk productions I’ve attended, with summaries and reflections based on personal experience. It’s not a comprehensive list, but a curated record of the performances that have stayed with me — whether for their storytelling, music, staging, or emotional impact.