By Honorary Reporter Kairavi Pandya from India

The original musical "Swing Days: Code Name A" runs through July 5 at Chungmu Arts Center's Grand Theater in Seoul's Jung-gu District. This work revisits the NAPKO Project, a secret mission to support Korea's independence movement during Japanese colonial rule.

NAPKO was a World War II operation planned by the U.S. Office of Strategic Services (OSS) from late 1944 to early 1945 that trained mostly Korean agents from the U.S. to infiltrate the Japanese-occupied Korean Peninsula. Though the project ended early, it is remembered as an effort by Koreans overseas to join the pro-independence effort.

Inspired by the life of Yu Il-han, an entrepreneur and independence activist, "Swing Days" is about a successful Korean businessman in America, Yu Il-hyung, who is an OSS spy during World War II. Actor Ha Do-kwon plays Hwang Man-yong, Yu's close friend, and their bond is one of the emotional pillars of the musical.

In an email interview from June 5-22, Ha discussed his role in the musical.

Official poster (left) for "Swing Days: Code Name A" (Courtesy of All That Story Co., Ltd. and Company Yeonjak Co., Ltd.) and actor Ha Do-kwon (Courtesy of ANDMARQ)

What is "Swing Days: Code Name A" about?

This musical is the true story of people who sacrificed themselves to reclaim Korea during the Japanese colonial period. It's also a story of love and friendship that grew intertwined over the course of history, and of friends who lived through painful times together. Through beautiful music and a story filled with sorrow and hope, the musical brings these experiences to life. 

How did you interpret the friendship between the protagonist and his friend?

I asked myself, "What is friendship?" In Korea, we have a culture that places strong emphasis on age and hierarchy between seniors and juniors. It was even stronger in the time of the musical. But I believe that Hwang Man-yong and Yu Il-hyung transcended all of that. Man-yong considered Il-hyung a younger brother for whom he would gladly die for, and Il-hyung never hesitated to give up his company to save his older brother.

Personally, I consider their relationship almost like that between a parent and a child, like one of unconditional love without expecting anything in return. I portray Il-hyung as though he were my son. Perhaps I'm a bit like a doting father.

What historical facts impressed you most in this work? What do you want audiences to remember from it?

What moved me most was learning that Yu Il-han, despite being a successful businessman who could have lived a comfortable and luxurious life, chose to risk his life, undergo training and participate in NAPKO, which involved plans to assassinate key figures. It deeply touched me and made me reflect on myself.

I hope audiences remember that people like Il-han existed and that countless others whose names history never recorded shed their blood and tears so that we could be where we are today. Our ancestors paid the price of our freedom for people they would never know.

In your opinion, what makes Korean musicals unique and powerful?

Korea is a nation of passionate people who endured colonial rule for a long time, suffered through a civil war, and fought for freedom and democracy. Korean dramas, films and music are loved around the world.

In Korea, when we eat something hot, we often say, "It's refreshing," reflecting our fiery passion. Korean musicals are usually licensed productions with proven success abroad. But I hope for more original stories, filled with our own passion and spirit, to be created as musicals and performed for audiences abroad in the host country's language.

ljyhwa@korea.kr

*This article was written by a Korea.net Honorary Reporter. Our group of Honorary Reporters are from all around the world, and they share with Korea.net their love and passion for all things Korean.