“Two suns can never exist under one sky,” said Bum-ong and Sam-moon together. This intrigued the audience, making them wonder what the story about and what might have happened between the two of them. Is it a story about their friendship and loyalty? Or a story about their ambition? Are they friends? Or foes? The story of Bum-ong cannot be explained in a single word. The Musical of Bum[1]ong presents only three main characters during the whole show. However, it does not mean that it lacks depth. Instead, it mesmerizes the audience with each character’s perspective.

The musical starts with a monologue from Bum-ong, the main character of the show. This is a character based on a real person well known as Shin Suk-ju from the Chosun Dynasty. The show is about his ambition. Following the death of King Sejong, the Chosun Dynasty fell on hard times. So did Bum-ong as he had always wanted the best for his country. The show starts with this agony present in both his monologue and his song. The musical features songs that suit the musical as well as the historical drama.

Shortly after Bum-ong finishes his solo expressing his agony, his dear friend Sam-moon appears and starts a conversation that shows their close friendship. Historically, they were good friends together since attending the same school, Sung-Gyun-Kwan. Not only did they study together but they also worked together for their beloved King Sejong. They both posessed the same loyalty as well as ambition. Through their duet, the musical shows that their friendship is as solid as a rock. The audience can feel that they care about each other sincerely and try their best for the country.

Last but not least, another man appears on the stage: Prince Su-yang, brother of the current king, Dan-jong. He is too young to become the real king and manage the country’s affairs. At that time, Dan-jong was only 11 years old. Prince Su-yang thus worries about Chosun and begins to believe secretly that instead would be the one to put things right.

The show now features all the main characters. All three have been introduced with exciting and majestic music. However, these sounds that express each man’s ambition are not the only special aspect of the show; the setting is special. Two big moons situated at both ends of the wallpaper show the current state of Chosun. The orange moon gets deeper as the show gets more serious.

The lighting is used perfectly when each character starts their own dialogue as well as the songs. This lighting effect provides an especially important memory to the audience when Sam-moon drinks alone. The warm and somewhat lonely lighting illuminates the glass as Sam-moon drinks it. The audience are there with him empathizing with him as he worries about the King Dan-jong. His loyalty to his king seems lonely.

Now, the show reaches the climax. Prince Su-yang finally expresses his secret ambition. At first, Bum-ong was hesitant to follow Su-yang because he remembered what King Sejong had previously told him. He did not want to betray the current king. Yet he wanted the best for his country. His agony is once again expressed through a song. He sings the song of a conflicted mind − whether to follow Prince Su-yang for the betterment of Chosun that he always dreamed of or, instead, to wait and see and abandoned hope of reformation.

From that moment, the reformation begins as the show enters the climax. The scene in which Bum-ong finally decides to follow Prince Su-yang while following the opposite political path from his dear friend, Sam-moon is fraught with action. The action is very unlike to other typical musicals as it still features only three characters. Nevertheless, there is no lack of quality in conveying the situation. All three characters use their own guns and show the movement of the obdurate with their passion for reformation.

What is left? For the audience, it is hard to watch two good friends walking a different political path, driven by different ambitions despite caring about each other. However, the main theme of this situation is not focused on their friendship. It is instead related to their future. This is not only about themselves but about the whole country. It is for the people of the Chosun Dynasty.

Finally, after killing his brother, Prince Su-yang becomes the king. One man’s ambition has been expressed. This great historical moment is well expressed on stage. At the very middle sits there is the throne of the great king. When Prince Su-yang finally sits on the throne, the audience can not only feel the awe historically but also the very special moment back in the Chosun era which will be long remembered.

Although both Prince Su-yang and Bum-ong achieved their ambitions, their journey was not over. Sam-moon did not want to betray King Sejong nor did he believe that a radical reformation of politics was the best solution for his country. Thus, his position was expressed through the music’s main themes: the ambition, agony, and loyalty of the three men. Who was correct or not is perhaps not important, and it will never be accurately answered. What is for certain, however, is that all three men had their own wishes and tried their best. Their contrasting methods were well explained through the plot, actors’ acting skills, the setting, the stage, the lyrics, and the music.

One man’s agony, another man’s loyalty, and the other’s ambition; will they all achieve their own hopes and dreams? The story of these three men based on the real historical moments from the Chosun Dynasty is well demonstrated through the musical Bum[1]ong. More exciting moments will be waiting for future audiences who want to know the final story of these three driven men.

Date: 2022.10.25~2023.01.08

Place: Dream Art Center

Running time: 100 minutes