Musical 'Beetlejuice': If It Matches Your Taste, Expect Laughter and Unexpected Emotion

[Financial News] With wild hair, a pale face, and a quirky madness, the ghost 'Beetlejuice' has returned to the stage.
According to CJ ENM, the musical 'Beetlejuice,' based on Tim Burton’s film of the same name, is enjoying a successful run at LG Arts Center SEOUL in Gangseo-gu, Seoul, marking its first revival in four years. The show originally premiered on Broadway in 2019, earning nominations in eight categories at the Tony Awards and winning the Drama Desk Awards for Outstanding Set Design.
This revival follows its Korean premiere in 2021, maintaining the Broadway scale while featuring localization tailored to Korean audiences. Comedian Lee Chang-ho participated in adapting the script, adding witty humor closely tied to each situation to preserve the flavor of the dialogue. The rating was adjusted to 14 and above, and more risqué jokes were incorporated accordingly.
Especially for those who appreciate Tim Burton’s signature bizarre imagination, the musical offers a unique charm distinct from the film. The role of Beetlejuice, a ghost left alone between the worlds of the living and the dead and lonely to the bone, is played by Jung Sung-hwa, Jeong Wonyeong, and Kim Junsu, each bringing their own color to the character and serving as guides through the story.
Kim Junsu is praised for reimagining the eerie ghost as a cute and mischievous troublemaker. Jeong Wonyeong captivates audiences with his ad-libs and stage presence, while Jung Sung-hwa anchors the production with the seasoned skill he demonstrated in the original run.
One audience member commented, "I never knew a character with anger management issues could be this lovable," adding, "I discovered a new taste of mine."
If you find yourself drawn to Beetlejuice’s unique atmosphere, you’ll find yourself laughing out loud while also feeling unexpectedly moved. Lydia Deetz, a girl who hides her grief over her mother’s death behind cynicism and is unafraid of death, serves as the emotional core of the story. Hong Na-Hyun and Jang Min-je are double cast in the role, delicately portraying the loneliness that stems from the absence of a mother and family estrangement.
Particularly through numbers like 'Home' and 'Dead Mom,' the show conveys feelings of loss and longing, creating moments that bring tears amid the laughter.
Director Alex Timbers stated in the program, "The core of this work is not just comedy," adding, "It’s a story about sorrow, healing, and the strange joy of being alive. I paid close attention to Lydia Deetz’s emotional journey."
The stage’s spectacle, reminiscent of a theme park, is another strength of the production. The massive set transforms multiple times into completely different concepts, and scenes combining analog imagination with the latest technology—such as the Sandworm Puppet—unfold one after another. In Act 2, the variety show and maze scenes featuring a cast of characters from the afterlife are particularly impressive.
The production faithfully inherits Tim Burton’s signature aesthetic of warmth within the bizarre. In a world where death and humor, oddballs and loneliness coexist, the central narrative led by Beetlejuice and Lydia Deetz reminds us of the beauty of life and the meaning of family love. The story of growth among society’s outcasts is also a compelling aspect.

jashin@fnnews.com Shin Jin-ah Reporter