Long-lived Productions

[Anchor Lead]

A handful of plays and musicals staged at small theaters are rewriting Korean performance arts history as they continue lengthy runs of 10 to 20 years. What is the secret to their longevity and popularity? Take a look.

[Pkg]

An unbelievable tale unfolds throughout the course of a night, all stemming from a cab driver's lie. Laughter breaks out from the audience throughout the entire show. This play has drawn 4.5 million viewers in the 20 years since its premiere in 1988, posting new milestones in the history of small theater productions.

[Soundbite] Jeong Hee-won(Audience) : "I honestly don't know how the 90 minutes passed by. I laughed and cried repeatedly."

This show is an original musical being staged for the 11th year and counting at Seoul's Daehangno theater district. Some 700-thousand people have since seen the musical since its 2006 premiere. It is also the first Korean musical for which copyright sales were made to China and Japan. The key to its success is a uniquely playful structure and savvy acting that make the most of the small theater setting.

[Soundbite] Ji Hye-won(Cultural Critic) : "It's less about the fans of certain actors holding sway, but more about the shows themselves having established a brand. They have reached a stage where the show itself is a force that draws viewers."

Small yet popular performances continue to communicate with audiences through their timeless charm even as decades pass.