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| A scene from the musical "Showman" / Courtesy of National Jeongdong Theater of Korea |
By Dong Sun-hwa
Black comedy "Showman" has won the grand prize at this year's Korea Musical Awards, one of the most prestigious theater awards here.
Produced by the National Jeongdong Theater of Korea, "Showman," which premiered in April, received the highest honor after edging out other original productions like "Frida" and "Almond." Its lead actor Yoon Na-moo and writer Han Jung-suk nabbed awards for best actor and best writer, respectively.
Set in New Jersey in 2020, "Showman" is a story of a cynical young woman doing a photo shoot for an eccentric old man named Nebula, who claims to have worked as a stand-in for a dictator in a fictional country named Paradisus. The musical aims to portray an individual rediscovering his own identity after losing it due to social and ideological issues.
"'Showman' is neither glamorous nor incredible," Jung Sung-sook, the CEO of the National Jeongdong Theater of Korea, said during the awards ceremony that took place at the LG Arts Center in Gangseo District, western Seoul, Monday. "But I believe good work can still make people feel that they have been moved by that show when they walk out of the theaters. I think 'Showman' has been recognized as such work. It will hit the stage again in September, so I hope a lot of people will come and watch it."
Yoon, who played Nebula, said, "It feels surreal (to win such an award). 'Showman' has encouraged me to view our world in a positive light and become a good person. I want to share this honor with all our audience members."
