The Localization Path of Korea Original Musicals “Fan Letter” in China

Abstract

Many Chinese musical theatre producers blindly introduce foreign productions and lack the ability to independently produce original musicals. However, in the process of introducing Korean musicals, localization adaptations often suffer from the problem of “not used to the local environment”. This study aims to explore the localization adaptation of the Korea musical “Fan Letter” according to different national conditions after its introduction to China, and through questionnaire surveys and in-depth interviews, to summarize the audience’s attitudes towards the localization adaptation and to analyze the reasons for the audience’s different attitudes. The study found that the Chinese version of “Fan Letter” transplanted the original story background to the “isolated island” period in Shanghai, which resulted in a rigid plot logic about “literary salvation”, an empty character characteristic about “pure literature”, and a controversial “refinement” of stagecraft and costumes. This study reveals the root emptiness brought about by the unsuccessful localization of cultural products and provides new ideas and perspectives for the localization adaptation of imported plays in the future.