A Korean musical production of "Death Note" dazzles with innovative LED technology and vocal performances

Courtesy of OD Company

SEOUL - The musical "Death Note" is taking theatergoers on a visually stunning journey with its use of LED technology. By installing giant LED panels on the stage, the musical transforms into a high school, a police station, or even a tennis court, providing a fully immersive environment for the audience.

In one of the show's most visually impressive scenes, the two protagonists, Light Yagami and L, play tennis against each other while singing the number "Playing His Game." The white LED lights creating the tennis court move in different directions to show the match from various angles, making it appear like a real tennis game.

Based on the Japanese manga series by Tsugumi Ohba and Takeshi Obata, "Death Note" follows Yagami, a high school student in Tokyo who discovers the "Death Note" owned by Ryuk, a mythological god of death. Yagami begins murdering criminals by writing their names in the supernatural notebook, believing it's an act of justice. However, an intelligent detective known only as L begins tracking him down. 

▲ Courtesy of OD Company

Since its Korean premiere in 2015, "Death Note" has garnered numerous awards, including four at the Korea Musical Awards in 2022. The musical's third run started on April 1 at the Charlotte Theater in southern Seoul and is scheduled to run through June 18. Actors Hong Kwang-ho and Ko Eun-sung alternate playing Yagami, while Kim Jun-su and Kim Sung-cheol alternate the role of L. Seo Kyung-soo and Jang Ji-hoo take the role of Ryuk.

Beyond the visual spectacle, the vocal brilliance and chemistry of the actors are also standout features of "Death Note." The tension between Yagami and L is particularly palpable during their duets like "Playing His Game" and "The Way Things Are," and Ko Eun-sung and Kim Jun-su's voices blend together in stunning harmony.

"Death Note" also raises thought-provoking questions about justice, leaving the audience to arrive at their own conclusions. Is it okay to break laws to deliver justice? Can justice be defined differently for different people? These questions are left unanswered, but the musical offers a space to contemplate and discuss them.

In a world where theater experiences are increasingly limited, "Death Note" offers a unique and immersive journey for its viewers.

Sayart.net
Joy, nunimbos@gmail.com