Bestselling historical novel to be adapted for musical

By Shin Hae-in
SEOUL, Feb. 5 (Yonhap) -- A bestseller novel depicting the history of Koreans'
bare-fisted struggle against the Manchus' invasion (1624-37) inside the "Mount
Namhan Fortress (Namhan Sanseong)" is to be adapted into a musical later this
year, organizers said Thursday.
The tragic story of Mount Namhan Fortress came under a fresh spotlight in 2007,
when renowned South Korean author Kim Hoon published a novel -- titled after the
fortress -- based on the events. The book, a fictional version of the historic
incident and the agonies of King Injo of Joseon Dynasty (1392-1910) and his
people during the Manchu invasion, sold more than one million copies.
Kim's story will be turned into a musical October this year, with the adaptation
being "very Korean and at the same time very modern and international," said the
organizers.
The fortress, first built during Korea's ancient kingdom of Baekje (B.C. 18 -
A.D. 660), later became a hideout for King Injo and thousands of brave monks and
civilians who braved hunger and severe winter cold to protect their king.
After a 47 day siege, food ran out, forcing the king to surrender, offer his sons
as hostages and shift allegiance to the Manchu from Ming China. The historical
incident is remembered by Koreans as one of the most brutal, yet the bravest,
fights the ancient kingdom put up against external pressure. The restored
fortress is located on a mountain in Seongnam on the southeastern outskirts of
Seoul.
"The musical will focus on the drama of various characters suffering from the
circumstantial and political difficulties," Cho Gwang-hwa, director of the
upcoming musical, said at a press conference Thursday. "A lot of modern
translations will be made to turn this most Korean story into an internationally
understandable piece."
Music composer Kim Dong-seong also said,"People will expect to see something very
Korean in this musical. But I plan to internationalize the story with strong beat
music."
Up to 3 billion won (US$2.1 million) will be spent on the musical, which will
feature at least 40 actors, actresses, professional dancers and martial artists.
Novelist Kim, who also attended the press call, said the musical will be very
different from his book.
"Although it borrows the plot from my novel, the musical isn't mine. It belongs
to the director, the playwright and the music composer," he said. "I don't want
my original story to ruin the creativity of the musical. So I will not play any
part in the adaptation."
Kim went on to ask the playwright not to judge the two political factions, which
offered conflicting views about King Injo's surrender. "They were forced to put
up with the circumstances and no one was better than the other. The story is
about life. The people endured the difficulties."
The musical will be put on stage from Oct. 14 through 31 at Seongnam Art Center
Opera House. Actors and actresses will be selected via a three-part audition
later this month.
hayney@yna.co.kr
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