After captivating Korean theater audiences for more than a decade, the beloved original musical "Frankenstein" is making its cinematic debut as "Frankenstein: The Musical Live." The film, captured during a live performance from the production's 10th anniversary season in summer 2024, brings Mary Shelley's classic 19th-century tale to the big screen, following the tragic story of scientist Victor Frankenstein who defies divine authority by bringing the dead back to life, and the Monster born from his dangerous experiment.
The Korean adaptation has established itself as one of the country's most successful musical productions over the past decade, earning recognition for consistently drawing repeat audiences and achieving multiple sold-out runs. The stage-to-screen transition represents a significant milestone for Korean musical theater, offering both preservation of the acclaimed performance and expanded accessibility to wider audiences.
During a press screening held at Megabox Seongsu in Seoul's Seongdong District, director Park Jae-seok joined cast members Kyuhyun and Park Eun-tae, along with EMK Musical Company vice president and producer Kim Ji-won, to discuss the ambitious project. Kyuhyun, who portrays the tormented scientist Victor Frankenstein, emphasized the lasting value of the filmed performance. "The greatest advantage of filming a live show for theatrical release is that once it's filmed, people can keep watching it," he explained. "On stage, actors wear down their bodies and voices with each performance, but this preserves the work for many more people to see. For me, it also keeps my youngest years on stage alive and that makes me especially happy."
Park Eun-tae, who has been integral to the production since its 2014 premiere, playing the role of Henri Dupre—Frankenstein's friend who eventually meets a tragic fate and transforms into the Monster—spoke about the personal significance of the film adaptation. "Through the live recording, I could even see expressions of mine I'd never noticed before. To me, the fact that this show was made into a film has deep significance," he reflected. His continuous involvement in every production run since the musical's debut adds particular weight to his perspective on this cinematic milestone.
Director Park Jae-seok deliberately crafted the film to offer more than a typical audience experience, incorporating extreme close-ups that capture the actors' subtle movements and facial expressions—details often missed during live theater performances. "The goal of making this film wasn't simply to archive the show, but to maximize the musical's appeal so the actors' emotions really came through on screen," he explained. This approach transforms the viewing experience, allowing audiences to witness intimate performance elements impossible to see from traditional theater seating.
For EMK Musical Company, this cinematic venture represents a bold step in a market where stage-to-screen adaptations remain uncommon. Producer Kim Ji-won acknowledged the initial resistance to the concept. "Some said live theater shouldn't be frozen in time, that it would diminish the essence of performance. But we wanted to preserve the production as a record and also saw the need for new opportunities," she said. The COVID-19 pandemic played a crucial role in shifting industry perspectives, making both audiences and performers more receptive to filmed performances while advancing technology improved capture capabilities.
"By showing views that audiences could never see from their seats, we wanted to create new ways to enjoy the work," Kim added. This innovative approach aligns with EMK's broader strategy to extend their musical productions beyond traditional stage boundaries and reach international markets previously inaccessible to Korean theater.
The "Frankenstein" film is part of EMK's comprehensive global expansion initiative. In August, Disney began streaming professionally shot recordings of several EMK productions, including "Elizabeth," "Phantom," "Monte Cristo," "The Man Who Laughs," "Excalibur," and "Marie Antoinette," introducing Korean musical theater to international audiences through digital platforms. This strategic partnership demonstrates the growing global interest in Korean cultural content beyond K-pop and television dramas.
Park Eun-tae views the film as serving a greater cultural mission. "Because our productions usually run for only a limited time, this is a rare chance to introduce Korean musicals internationally," he explained. "Unless overseas fans or theater professionals actually come over to Korea, they never get to see our shows. Through this film, we can show the world the skill of our cast, crew and creative teams." His comments highlight the geographical and temporal limitations that have traditionally restricted Korean musical theater's global reach.
Beyond international expansion, the film aims to make musical theater more accessible to domestic audiences who may perceive it as exclusive or financially prohibitive. "Many seem to think musicals are too expensive or out of reach," Park Eun-tae observed. "If this film makes even one person curious to try a musical, that would be enough. Accessibility has improved, so I just want people to give it a chance," he said with optimism about breaking down barriers that prevent broader audience engagement with live theater.
"Frankenstein: The Musical Live" will open nationwide on September 18, with exclusive screenings at Megabox theaters. The limited theatrical release strategy reflects both the specialized nature of the content and the experimental aspect of bringing Korean musical theater to cinema audiences, potentially paving the way for similar adaptations of other successful Korean musical productions.
