A birthday celebration for King Yeongjo, the 21st monarch of the Joseon Dynasty, will take place in Daehakro, Seoul. A special 'birthday cafe' will be set up to commemorate the occasion, coinciding with a unique popup store for the musical 'Shadow,' which explores the tragic relationship between Yeongjo and Crown Prince Sado.
According to Blue Stage, the production company behind 'Shadow,' the interactive popup store will operate from October 31 to November 1 at Field Space in Jongno-gu, Seoul.
Notably, the popup store opens on October 31, which is the same date as Yeongjo's actual solar birthday. Yeongjo was born on the 13th day of the 9th month in the lunar calendar in 1694, which corresponds to October 31 in the solar calendar. This year marks the 332nd anniversary of his birth.
The event is designed to allow audiences to experience the characters and stories from the musical ahead of its revival in February. Different programs will be available on the first, second, and sixth floors of the venue.
On the first floor, interactive games utilizing key lines and lyrics from the musical will be featured. Three programs titled 'Remember This Move,' 'If Only I Could Turn Back Time,' and 'Tangpyeong' will be available, along with a stamp lottery and limited-edition merchandise.
The second floor will recreate actual performance stages, including 'Yeongjo's Room' and 'Sado's Room.' Visitors can follow the story of a randomly assigned character through a reservation system, immersing themselves in the world of the musical.
A special cafe celebrating Yeongjo's birthday will be located on the sixth floor. It will offer desserts inspired by elements from the musical, such as dried persimmons and strawberries, as well as modern interpretations of traditional Joseon beverages like Jeho-tang. There will also be a product for making a model of a waterwheel.
Additionally, a special program featuring a screening of the musical will take place. On November 1, neuroscientist Jeong Jae-seung will give a lecture exploring the 'tunnel of space-time' featured in the production from a scientific perspective.
'Shadow' is a creative musical based on the historical event known as the 'Imo Incident' in 1762, when Yeongjo imprisoned and ultimately caused the death of his son, Sado. The production combines elements of fantasy, time travel, and rock music to depict the conflict and relationship between the two figures. After a showcase and premiere last year, it has also been performed in Shanghai, China, this year.
Meanwhile, 'Shadow' is scheduled to take the stage at the Incheon Jemulpo Cultural and Sports Center on December 4-5, before its revival at the Link Art Center in Daehakro, Seoul, in February.
* This article has been translated by AI.
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