Love Sadder than Breaking-up Reincarnated Like a Dream

Following Myeongseong Empress, another creative musical will be put on stage. It is Mong-Yoo-Do-Won-Do, which is also a name of an oriental picture depicting the natural and mythical life. A novel of Choi In-ho, which has the same title, serves the original of this musical. The director of Myeongseong Empress, Yoon Ho-jin (President of Acom) has prepared its scenario.

"The moment I began to read the novel, I thought I could get the inspiration," said Yoon (54). On the other hand, author Choi (57) said, "I seldom respect others out of pride and jealousy. But I do respect Mr. Yoon." These two people met at the Seoul Arts Center.

Why Mong-Yoo-Do-Won-Do?

Choi: For a long time, I have wished to write a beautiful love story, a story that could make us feel as if watching a dreamy oriental picture.

Yoon: Also wished to create a musical so oriental and aesthetic that the westerners would not think of even imagining. Even the westerners would be mesmerized by the scene where Domi and Arang, two main characters slowly fade away into the twilight, and the oriental atmosphere the scene creates.

(The novel, Mong-Yoo-Do-Won-Do, is also being turned into a movie by a renowned Chinese director. Why are people so attracted to the novel, Mong-Yoo-Do-Won-Do?)

Yoon: Through this story, I`d like to depict the original form of the human race. Aren`t we thirsty of the eternal love and the value of it, and isn`t this age longing for them?

Choi: The attraction of the characters and love described in my novel lies in the universality. King Kaero, who is obsessed with ambition, and pure Domi are depicted as two characters. But they are two aspects of one human being.

Yoon: That is why I think it would appeal to the audience around the world. It is, unlike Myeongseong Empress, not colored with politics, and exudes universality.

Novel v. Musical

Yoon: In the novel, a character shows up his/her personality slowly. But in the musical, it`s the opposite. A character should stand out in such a way as to make the audience understand the personality. Thus, I`ve changed the personalities of the characters.

Choi: Musical is musical. It, I think, does not have to stick to the settings in the original novel. But, I guess, what each of us thinks is similar. I wished that the first scene where Arang and Kaero meet in a dream and make love to each other should be a little erotic. Surprisingly, Yoon told me he intended to depict the first scene erotically.

(When the dialogue got down deep into the detail, Yoon explained the major scenes with gestures.)

"I plan to set up the war scene like a mural. For reference, I went to a Russian museum to see a sample of the Middle Age`s mural." "For the meeting of Domi and Arang, I`d like to use the piano cords, making them fly like in Hidden Dragon and Crouching Tiger."

(As Yoon explained his inspiration and blueprints, Choi, with smile all over his face, kept nodding, saying "Yup, yup. Asked whether this was the first explanation by Yoon, Choi, looking a little awkward, said, "More than 10 times. But, every time I heard, I got simply sucked in it.")

Dream Comes True

Choi: In the middle of the economic crisis in 1998, Yoon asked me to take in a musical together. We, along with other friends, watched 11 musicals in London and New York for about a month. We didn`t say a word, but all of us thought about Mong-Yoo-Do-Won-Do all the time.

Yoon: I first decided to make a musical out of Mong-Yoo-Do-Won-Do in 1998. Now, it took 6 years to make my dream come true.

Choi: Maybe, in terms of quantity, Korean artists have shown improvements. But their spirits have declined, I think. When a crow cries up over the hill, everyone worries. But no one tries to create his own work. In this respect, I really respect Yoon. He has always endeavored to create his own works of art.

Yoon: Purely in terms of money, I am rather on the losing side. Many say, “You think you are the only artist in Korea?” But, I believe, in the long run, creation will get us a success even in the financial aspect. But no one seems to understand me. I, as a senior artist, should teach them a lesson.

Choi: Good for you. People of your age tend to like to be on a jury or an academy, aren’t they?

Yoon: I like the jitters from creation, though.

Choi: Me, too. Creation is better than the seminar things. (Laughing)

Sue-Jean Kang sjkang@donga.com