팔로우 토토H

The musical R;팔로우 토토, an official entry in the YTF GLOBAL section of the 33rd Young Theatre Festival, successfully completed its showcase at Hanyang University from June 5 to 7. This work is an international co-creation project between young artists from Korea and Canada, based on true historical events from the Korean War. The stage depicts five Korean soldiers incorporated into the Canadian forces and five Canadian soldiers coming together as one team in the extreme context of war.

R;Link is based on real accounts of Korean soldiers who participated in the Battle of Gapyeong in 1951, as part of the Princess Patricia’s Canadian Light Infantry (PPCLI). Professor Kim Ga-ram of the Department of Theater and Film, who directed the work, explained, “We faithfully reflected historical records, including the PPCLI’s move from Yeoju to Gapyeong and their stand despite the Australian forces’ withdrawal. We wanted to show the audience how individuals from different cultures, languages, and historical backgrounds form solidarity within this context.”

At the center of the emotional narrative are Seok-gu, a Korean soldier, and David, a Canadian soldier. Seok-gu suffers from trauma after losing his younger brother in the war and blames himself for it. David, a former hockey team leader, joins the war driven by the sense of loss after losing his team. Professor Kim explained, “Their wounds may differ in form, but their depth is the same. Seok-gu’s guilt and David’s grief become the starting point of their connection.”

The theme of “connection” is vividly expressed through stage direction. Instead of guns, the actors use hockey sticks, and trench guards are replaced by boards from a hockey rink to transform the battlefield into a hockey arena. Professor Kim commented, “Though seemingly opposite, war and hockey share elements like teamwork, intensity, strategy, and trust. Hockey serves as a core visual language embodying the world of this work.”

The connection between people, memory, and reconciliation is also portrayed uniquely. Military caps in the play symbolize memory and proof of existence. Professor Kim said, “By symbolically laying down the cap to represent death, we wanted to convey that although their bodies vanish, their stories remain on stage and in the audience’s memories.”

The musical genre further emphasizes “connection” through music. The main number, Dream We Won’t Lose, resounds when Seok-gu and David understand each other’s wounds and ultimately hope for a future together. Professor Kim noted, “Even amid destruction, there is a belief that ‘togetherness’ ultimately protects something important. This duet goes beyond simple harmony, marking a decisive shift from division to unity.”

The connection on stage extended into the creative process itself through international collaboration. Yu Ha-hyun (2nd year, Department of Theater and Film), who handled planning and operation, shared, “I was deeply moved by the first meeting with the Canadian creative team and actors after they arrived in Korea. Despite language and cultural differences, it was touching to see people united by a shared dream.”

The play intertwines the two countries’ traditions and cultures. In a scene mourning the death of Myung-ho, Canada’s traditional smudging ceremony and Korea’s folk song Arirang are performed simultaneously. Professor Kim explained, “The smudging ceremony symbolizes unity of land, spirit, and people. By placing Arirang within this context, we created a moment where the grief of different cultures intersect on the same stage.” Yu described this moment as “when art became the deepest language of understanding,” expressing its emotional impact.

R;팔로우 토토 recorded sold-out performances as part of the YTF GLOBAL section, raising expectations. Yu stated, “We will do our best on stage, encouraged by the audience’s support.”

The musical R;팔로우 토토 is scheduled for a full performance at CKL Stage from July 26 to 27. This main production will expand on the showcase with a larger scale and full participation from the Canadian creative team and actors. Professor Kim said, “We plan to enrich the stage with more dynamic choreography and additional episodes in collaboration with the Canadian actors.” Yu added, “This main production is the complete version of R;팔로우 토토. We hope that the connections made on stage will also resonate deeply with the audience.”

Meanwhile, R;팔로우 토토 will continue its journey in Canada, with performances planned at Capilano University in August as part of the ongoing collaboration.

※ This article is a follow-up to the April feature, “Hanyang University Leads International Cultural Exchange with Co-Produced Musical ‘R;Link’,” and includes additional coverage of the showcase and its outcomes.