Traditional musicals herald New Year

Although it is not known when the trend began, main stages of theaters have been monopolized by traditional Korean musicals with ¡°new-school¡± plays around lunar New Year¡¯s Day. Without exception, ¡°Serenade of Sorrow,¡± ¡°Ah, Collapsed Tower of Love,¡± and ¡°Journey¡± will be staged this year for the New Year holidays.

Such musicals and plays have enjoyed popularity among people of middle and old ages for their sad stories about love and parting, and separation and reunion, as well as old familiar pop songs.

Kim Gab-Sik gskim@donga.com