Many remember Vincent van Gogh as a painter that created far-reaching influential paintings. At the same time, they remember him as an ill-fated artist who sold only one of his more than 2,000 works throughout his life. Unfortunately for him, many of his works only earned fame posthumously.
It is also known that the painter had a strong passion for painting, one that got out of control and drove him crazy. His insanity went so far that he once cut off his own ear and at the end of his life, shot himself.
The story of the tragic artist has now been presented on a Seoul stage, not as a crazy painter whose life was struck by bouts of misfortune, but as a human being who just loved what he did.
“The painter was the same human being as all of us,” said scriptwriter Choi Yoo-seon. “He led a passionate life, pursuing his dreams and making a ceaseless effort to achieve them. The musical ‘Vincent van Gogh’ focuses on a human van Gogh who, like us, has the hope that ‘someday, my dreams will come true.’”
“At first, the idea that we would create a musical featuring the painter came as a surprise to many,” said director Kim Gyu-jong. “Van Gogh has been, and will be, an artistic icon worshipped by almost everyone, as well as myself. Van Gogh’s masterpieces always inspire me and touch me.”
The musical begins as van Gogh’s younger brother, Theo van Gogh, reminisces about his brother, telling stories from the more than 700 letters he exchanged with his sibling. In all those letters lies the painter’s life: love, loneliness, poverty and an endless passion for painting.
“Why is it that his [Vincent van Gogh’s] craziness should be something to be made fun of? Why, don’t you know that there lies a genuine earnestness in his paintings, behind the insanity?” cries the grieving brother.
Throughout the musical, 3D images of van Gogh’s masterpieces, such as “The Starry Night,” “Almond Blossom,” “The Bedroom” and “Sunflowers,” are projected onto the backdrop.
Although there’s no transformation or movement in the stage setting itself, the 3D visual effects utilize time and space in a free and eloquent manner.
Figures in the famous paintings are given life and follow the actors. Also, some masterpieces appear on an empty, white canvas and even loom large, as if they are taking up the whole stage.
The stage is filled with sweet and dulcet melodies as the younger brother sings ballads longing for his older brother, who took his life at the age of 37, and the painter sings about his strong passion for painting, an urge that never stops, even amid a poverty- and pain-stricken life.
“I hope the audience will enjoy the musical and feel like they are at an exhibition of van Gogh’s paintings, rather than at a musical,” said producer Han Seung-won.
The musical “Vincent van Gogh” will continue until April 27 at the Chungmu Art Hall in Seoul.
By Sohn JiAe
Korea.net Staff Writer
jiae5853@korea.kr
It is also known that the painter had a strong passion for painting, one that got out of control and drove him crazy. His insanity went so far that he once cut off his own ear and at the end of his life, shot himself.
Kim Bo-kang, who plays Vincent van Gogh, says, “In my life up to now, I used to think of the painter as being insane, but now I look at him from a different angle. For me, he is no longer a misfortunate artist, as has long been believed.” (photo courtesy of HJ Culture)
The story of the tragic artist has now been presented on a Seoul stage, not as a crazy painter whose life was struck by bouts of misfortune, but as a human being who just loved what he did.
“The painter was the same human being as all of us,” said scriptwriter Choi Yoo-seon. “He led a passionate life, pursuing his dreams and making a ceaseless effort to achieve them. The musical ‘Vincent van Gogh’ focuses on a human van Gogh who, like us, has the hope that ‘someday, my dreams will come true.’”
“At first, the idea that we would create a musical featuring the painter came as a surprise to many,” said director Kim Gyu-jong. “Van Gogh has been, and will be, an artistic icon worshipped by almost everyone, as well as myself. Van Gogh’s masterpieces always inspire me and touch me.”
The musical begins as van Gogh’s younger brother, Theo van Gogh, reminisces about his brother, telling stories from the more than 700 letters he exchanged with his sibling. In all those letters lies the painter’s life: love, loneliness, poverty and an endless passion for painting.
“Why is it that his [Vincent van Gogh’s] craziness should be something to be made fun of? Why, don’t you know that there lies a genuine earnestness in his paintings, behind the insanity?” cries the grieving brother.
Kim Tae-hoon, who takes turns playing Theo van Gogh with Park Yu-deok, says, “The younger brother is a character who watches Vincent from a distance and who tries to encourage others to recognize the passion in his brother’s paintings.” (photo courtesy of HJ Culture)
Throughout the musical, 3D images of van Gogh’s masterpieces, such as “The Starry Night,” “Almond Blossom,” “The Bedroom” and “Sunflowers,” are projected onto the backdrop.
Although there’s no transformation or movement in the stage setting itself, the 3D visual effects utilize time and space in a free and eloquent manner.
Figures in the famous paintings are given life and follow the actors. Also, some masterpieces appear on an empty, white canvas and even loom large, as if they are taking up the whole stage.
The stage is filled with sweet and dulcet melodies as the younger brother sings ballads longing for his older brother, who took his life at the age of 37, and the painter sings about his strong passion for painting, an urge that never stops, even amid a poverty- and pain-stricken life.
A scene from the musical “Vincent van Gogh.” (photo courtesy of HJ Culture)
“I hope the audience will enjoy the musical and feel like they are at an exhibition of van Gogh’s paintings, rather than at a musical,” said producer Han Seung-won.
The musical “Vincent van Gogh” will continue until April 27 at the Chungmu Art Hall in Seoul.
Performer Ryan (right) and Kim Bo-kang perform as Vincent van Gogh and his younger brother, Theo van Gogh, respectively. (photo courtesy of HJ Culture)
By Sohn JiAe
Korea.net Staff Writer
jiae5853@korea.kr
Most popular
- 2 Egyptian sisters reflect on 10 years as Honorary Reporters
- Korea Welcome Week for foreign tourists set from April 25-May 16
- Actor Bae Doona's first romcom in decade to hit theaters in May
- Korea.net welcomes 2025 K-influencers, Honorary Reporters
- 2025 Honorary Reporter class pledges to spread 'real Korea' worldwide
