A poster for the Chinese version of "Fan Letter." Photos courtesy of Shenzhen Poly Theater
Early bird tickets for the much-anticipated Chinese version of the South Korean musical "Fan Letter" go on sale at 10:30 a.m. today, with a 10% discount available on all tickets until March 9.
VIP members of the Shenzhen Poly Theater will enjoy further discounts of 10-15%, depending on their membership tier, as well as the privilege of reserving seats 30 minutes in advance.
An original South Korean musical that premiered in 2016, "Fan Letter" won the top prize that year at the Glocal Musical Live, a project designed to promote original South Korean musicals. It has since seen successful licensed productions and tours in both China and Japan, and in 2024, it was staged in London.
The story is set in 1940s Shanghai.
The Chinese version retains the essence of the original score and storyline while adapting the background and characters for a local audience. Since its Chinese premiere in 2022, it has garnered widespread acclaim, maintaining a score of 8 out of 10 on Douban, a popular Chinese review platform. It also won multiple awards at a 2024 musical industry gala, including Most Popular Musical, Best Actor, Best Stage Design, and Best Lighting Design.
The story is set in 1940s Shanghai, which emerged as a cultural center of China in the 1920s, attracting a large number of intellectuals. The "Seven Persons Society" in the play portrays a group of writers who, while suffering through the devastation of war, strive to uphold their literary aspirations and create great works.
The play articulates the pursuit of literature and art, and the yearning for love, shared by a generation of Chinese intellectuals.
The plot begins with the impending publication of the final private letter between the recently deceased novelist Kim Hae-jin and the mysterious female writer Seo Kwang. Jung Mi-ram, a novice editor who admires Hae-jin, teams up with publisher Lee Yung to uncover the past concealed within this "fan letter."
Mi-ram had previously corresponded extensively with Hae-jin under the pseudonym "Seo Kwang." During this time, the character of Seo Kwang was perfected and gradually took on a life of her own through his writing — she became a muse for Hae-jin.
The shared experience was enlightening, but it also ushered in a nightmare for both. By delving into the inner emotional world of the literati amidst the turbulent currents of their era, the play articulates the pursuit of literature and art, and the yearning for love, shared by a generation of Chinese intellectuals.
A scene from "Fan Letter."
The Chinese production enlisted screenwriter Wang Lingyun for script adaptation, director Gao Ruijia to lead the direction, Liu Ai as choreographer, and Yan Jiaxuan as music director. It also brings together the talents of stage designer Xu Xiaohuan, lighting designer Kong Qingyao, and costume designer Zhu Ya.
Time: June 26-27
Tickets: 180-680 yuan
Venue: Shenzhen Poly Theater
Metro: Line 2, 11, or 13 to Houhai Station (后海站), Exit E
