▲ This poster provided by the National Changgeuk Company of Korea promotes its traditional Korean opera (changgeuk) production “The Merchants of Venice," to be held at the National Theater of Korea’s Haeoreum Grand Theater on July 7-14, 2025. (PHOTO NOT FOR SALE) (Yonhap)

 

SEOUL, May 15 (Yonhap) — The National Changgeuk Company of Korea announced Thursday that it will restage its traditional Korean opera (changgeuk) production “The Merchants of Venice” at the National Theater of Korea’s Haeoreum Grand Theater from July 7 to 14.

 

The work is a creative reinterpretation of William Shakespeare’s classic play “The Merchant of Venice,” reimagined with traditional Korean music and vocal styles. Following its critically acclaimed premiere in 2023, the production returns to the stage after a two-year hiatus, having garnered a 99-percent seat occupancy rate in its debut run.

 

While maintaining the core narrative—Antonio borrowing money from the moneylender Shylock—the story has been recontextualized to reflect the realities of modern capitalism. Antonio is portrayed as a young leader of a small merchants’ cooperative, and Shylock as a seasoned tycoon.

 

The adaptation also emphasizes themes of solidarity among young entrepreneurs, which inspired the pluralized title “Merchants” in Korean.

 

The production features an elaborate stage set, including a six-meter-tall sailing ship, and a musical score comprising 62 songs—one of the largest among the company’s productions to date.

 

Renowned changgeuk performers Yoo Tae-pyung-yang and Kim Joon-soo will play Antonio and Shylock, respectively. The cast also includes Min Eun-kyung, Kim Soo-in, Seo Jung-geum, Cho Yoo-ah, and Lee Kwang-bok.

 

The opera is composed by Won Il, with lyrics by Han Seung-seok and direction by Lee Sung-yeol. Playwright Kim Eun-sung, set designer Lee Tae-seop, lighting designer Choi Bo-yoon, and costume designer Chai Kim are also part of the production team.

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