Three major theatrical productions currently running in Seoul showcase how characters defined by emotional barriers can create the most profound connections with audiences. Whether through technological limitations, psychological conditions, or machine-like precision, these performances demonstrate the power of small, hard-won steps toward human connection.
The Broadway award-winning musical "Maybe Happy Ending" has returned to Seoul to mark its 10th anniversary, now performed on a much larger scale at a 550-seat venue. The production brings the world of Oliver and Claire to life with greater detail than ever before. The cast has been significantly expanded, with four actors sharing the role of Oliver, the obsolete helperbot who begins to yearn for something more than routine. Five actresses will alternate as Claire, another helperbot who crosses paths with Oliver and gradually discovers the possibilities of connection, while three actors will portray James.
Kim Jae-bum, Shin Sung-min, Jeon Sung-woo, and Jung Hui will rotate in the role of Oliver, while Jeon Mi-do, Choi Soo-jin, Park Ji-yeon, Park Jin-joo, and Bang Min-ah will alternate as Claire. James, the premium model helperbot and Oliver's loyal companion, will be played by Lee Si-an, Ko Hun-jung, and Park Se-hoon. Director Son Ji-eun explained, "With a larger stage, we aim to introduce fresh perspectives and interpretations, while maintaining a focus that deepens emotional resonance for the audience."
Meanwhile, the musical "Almond," adapted from Sohn Won-pyung's bestselling novel, follows Yoon-jae, a boy born with alexithymia, a condition that makes it difficult for him to feel or identify emotions. His quiet, routine-bound life begins to transform when two very different teenagers enter his world. Through encounters with Gon, a rage-filled classmate, and Dora, a warm, spirited girl with strong intuition, Yoon-jae embarks on a journey toward growth, connection, and a deeper understanding of empathy.
Returning after a three-year hiatus, this season of "Almond" introduces a redesigned main set inspired by Yoon-jae's bookshop, enhanced with immersive visuals created by video designer Go Dong-uk. Composer Lee Sung-joon returns as music director, re-orchestrating the score to deepen the show's emotional palette. The cast has been streamlined from 12 to 8 actors, with multi-role performances designed to heighten narrative focus and emotional intensity.
Cirque du Soleil's "Kooza" takes a different approach, with audiences expecting state-of-the-art technical precision while performers deliver emotion through pure physicality. Using flawless balance, impossible control, and risk-defying timing, the performers express fear, joy, awe, and human vulnerability without uttering a single word. The show's protagonist, The Innocent, begins as an emotionally unformed figure, navigating a surreal circus world that gradually awakens his senses and reactions.
Across nine high-intensity acts, "Kooza" blends technical mastery with narrative discovery. Spectacular performances on high wires, aerial hoops, teeterboards, and the heart-stopping Wheel of Death transform disciplined technique into compelling storytelling, proving that emotion can emerge from precision even without dialogue.
The 115-minute production of "Maybe Happy Ending" runs through January 25 at the Doosan Arts Center in Seoul, while "Almond" continues through December 14 at NOL Uniplex 1 in Daehangno, Seoul. "Kooza" performs in Seoul through December 28 under the Big Top at Jamsil Sports Complex, offering audiences three distinct approaches to exploring the depths of human emotion through characters who must overcome significant barriers to connection.
