As the stage lights are turned off and the music flows, "global insider" Glinda appears in front of her. The audience is quickly sucked into the world of "Oz," or "Wicked." As I experience the magical world that I couldn't see on the screen with my five senses, this is real.

The original performance of the musical "Wicked" in Korea, which returned after 13 years, opened at Blue Square Shinhan Card Hall on the 12th.

As expected, the auditorium was full, and the family audience was mainly because it was a performance that could be enjoyed by all ages from 8 to 80 and was a mega-hit on the screen earlier. (Student children and senior audiences were significant.)

This performance is a rare and rare opportunity to appreciate the unprecedented box office monster that has made Broadway history in its original language. The original production that brought the same production, stage, and number as Broadway. Despite the fact that it is not easy to move due to the nature of the tour, it has finally arrived in Korea through Australia and Singapore.

As expected, stage lighting, sound, choreography, and music, which can never be felt on a screen, shake the five senses and bring out a full immersion.

This ecstatic world, which upended the Wizard of Oz, is vividly embodied in front of the audience's eyes, proving why Wicked is still receiving unrivaled support.

Courtney Monsma (27) as Glinda, selected through auditions, and Joey Coppinger (31) as Elfava, who led the Singapore performance, show off their original ensemble with witty fresh chemistry, solid range, and delicate emotional lines. Simon Burke (played by a magician) and Jennifer Bulletic (dean of Morible) who have 50 years of experience joined to add weight.

Courtney Monsma's clear voice, heavily armed with lovely eyes and witty vitality, is the "standard of Glinda," and Joey Coppinger also emits stable and dynamic energy as a famous "rising star."

The two are literally flying around. Based on solid singing, it raises the level of immersion throughout the view with vivid expressive power and high character synchro rate that does not feel any language barrier.

The popular playboy prince, Nam Joo Piero was also played by "Rising Star" Liam Head. His performance, which was impressive through "Grease" and "Bright Blonde," is actually a bit unfortunate. He seemed a little nervous from the beginning, but he stands out between the two talented women. Both pitch and movement are heavy throughout his signature number. It's so unstable that you're nervous all the time you're watching, it's a pity.

Their stage is different from the Korean version of "Wicked," which has been represented by "Okjeong Fair" (Ok Joo-hyun and Jeong Sun-ah), which has been shown countless times since its premiere in Korea in 2003.

If they put forward Korean emotional empathy as a strength with their expertise, character contrast, and Korean stage strengths such as "localized emotional delivery" and "speech taste," the original stage is more precise in terms of actors' native language expression, audience communication, and detail of stage production. It shows the dignity of 'original' properly. However, some appraisal lines give a more refined impression.

It is also amazing to prove the world view with just one costume. The color and atmosphere change depending on the lighting and movement of the stage, and not a single pair has the same design. The eyes are overwhelmingly happy at the feast of variety. Thanks to the doll-like glinda, you can enjoy the pleasure at its peak.

In addition, Elphaba's two-act dress was inspired by the Earth's strata, and the 360-layer layered dress was displayed at the Smithsonian Museum and was recognized for its artistry. As such, each individual's personality was clearly and symbolically expressed.

Acts 1 and 2, and the narrative of Elphaba and Glinda, who are growing from college students to witches, has the story itself so that it can be read enough by changing costumes.

Let's do a movie and a performance… Check it out again. "Why Wicked"

The "Wicked" movie starring Ariana Grande and Cynthia Erivo recently made more than $700 million worldwide, culminating in the "Wicked Syndrome."

Nevertheless, the depth of emotion given by the stage is still intense.

Numbers that can only be found in musicals, such as "For Good" and "As Long As You're Mine," and dramatic narratives that unfold in Act 2. The stage pleasure that all unfolds in front of your eyes and stimulates the five senses, this is the real "magic" that cannot be felt in a movie.

From sophisticated sets, flying monkeys, 12.4m time dragons, 350 costumes, and triple platinum-certified OST, the musical "Wicked" seems to see not just a performance but a cultural phenomenon. It's spectacular and overwhelming.

Moreover, if you look closely inside, it's not just a fantasy work. While asking heavy questions about power, gaze, minorities, and self, he solves them cheerfully and philosophically beautifully.

It is the brightest virtue of the work itself, regardless of whether it is on the screen or on the stage, and it is a story and message that is valid even in the present day.

On top of that, the lineup is particularly impressive in terms of explosive energy as a large number of talented newcomers discovered by production have been added.

All of this is harmonized so that you can clearly feel the answer to "Why did you set this record?" in the field, with each sense of the audience. You can enjoy the peak of pure complex art by wrapping the stage in harmony with the taste of classics and new energy. Indeed, it is the essence of the "blockbuster musical."

If you met Wicked for the first time on the screen, this time it's time to check that feeling again on stage. It will definitely be another first love.

On the other hand, if you are an audience who already knows this stage, you will quietly but clearly recall why you are sitting here again and that you will continue to look for it in the future. Even if the magic of Oz for 170 minutes is over, the emotion will continue until late at night.

The musical "Wicked," which has been a box office sensation for 22 years since its premiere, will be available at Blue Square's Shinhan Card Hall until October 26. After that, the Busan performance will open at the Dream Theater in November and the Daegu performance will open at the Keimyung Art Center in January next year.