By Jimmie
I have never written a fanaccount in my life. And because I’m much more used to writing critiques and reviews, what follows might not be what you expected. However, since I promised a lot of people that if I get a ticket to a showing of Tears of Heaven where Junsu is the main lead I would write a fanaccount, here it is…
Necessary Background Information
Few international fans are aware of the source material that inspired this production, Jo Sungmo’s Ashinayo music video (click here to view) and its rather considerable significance to the Korean social psyche. In 2000, Jo Sungmo released his music video, a 10-minute blockbuster set during the Vietnam War that tells of a tragic love story between a Korean soldier and a Vietnamese woman. The video and the music made quite the impact. Not only did it keep Jo Sungmo on the top of the charts for weeks, it launched the career of Shin Mina.
The content of the video re-opened questions surrounding the role of Korea and Korean soldiers in the Vietnam War. As the music video suggested, a lot more Korean soldiers than had been thought had loved Vietnamese women or fathered children by them. The majority of these Korean fathers subsequently died—the Korean government sent soldiers to Vietnam after the US promised that it would give the Korean government several thousands of dollars (or was it hundreds of thousands? In any case it was a lot of money) for every Korean soldier that died in Vietnam, which the Korean government at the time eagerly grabbed as free development aid—but the few who had survived started telling their stories. NGOs and even the Korean government at some point, paid for these Korean-Vietnamese children to be reunited with their fathers in Korea.
Koreans of previous generations already knew that the Korean government sent Korean soldiers to Vietnam in order to obtain free development aid that rises with the Korean body count; that this gave American and Korean generals every incentive to send Korean soldiers to the battles that only a crazy person would think he could survive; that the American command, trusting the reputation that Koreans are naturally cruel (a reputation popularised by the Japanese colonial government when Korea was a Japanese colony), sent Koreans on all sorts of black ops; that Koreans inflicted horrible torture on the Vietcong and other Vietnamese, such as skinning alive. This is all common knowledge, but until Jo Sungmo’s video, most Koreans were too busy avoiding being impoverished to pay much attention. But in 2000, a new generation was rediscovering this history. It caused quite a stir.
Koreans, who had become used to seeing themselves as the righteous and innocent victims throughout most of their history, had to confront the possibility that they were just as skilled at being the perpetrators; that what Koreans had suffered at the hands of their neighbours and others, they were capable of inflicting too. However, ironically, most of the resulting criticism and anger was directed at the Americans and added to the already-existing anti-American sentiment of that time. The attitude of the American command, using Korean soldiers in black ops and to do the dirty work in Vietnam, reminded Koreans of the policy of the Japanese colonial government: the Japanese, unable to subdue the resistance and independence spirit of Koreans, used Koreans who had been broken as slave labourers in Japan as prison guards, spies and torturers against their fellow Koreans.
Thus, all these themes—family mysteries, being sent to unsurvivable battles, traditional victim turned perpetrator, the colonialist mentality—appear in varying degrees throughout Tears of Heaven. (Interestingly, it is the English lyrics of the songs and not the Korean that emphasise the North-South split that apply to both Korea and Vietnam at the time of the Vietnam War.) In this sense, this is a very Korean production. It has no resemblance to Miss Saigon except in setting.
Pre-Show Situation
Bloody hell! I have never seen so many women in one place in my life. The oestrogen was palpable. I truly felt sorry for the few boyfriends and male relatives who were dragged to this; such an overwhelming female presence has got to have been intimidating.
Just starting from the metro stop—Dongguk University—where you catch the shuttle bus to the National Theatre, there was a long line of women. The shuttle buses that struggled uphill to the Theatre were jam-packed…with women. The lobby of the venue as well as the square outside was brimming with—you guessed it—women: Korean women, Japanese women, of all ages, buying Tears of Heaven trinkets and programmes and concept CDs or taking an unbelievable number of photographs next to several life-sized Junsus. The entire affair felt like a field trip with the Junsu Fan Club. Only the Korean fans fiddling with their binoculars reminded me that I am indeed at a theatre.
I found my seat. On the ground floor. A VIP seating, but near the back. The girls beside me had binoculars but they really weren’t necessary. We were near enough the stage to be able to see the actors’ faces.
Review of Tears of Heaven: The Good
I am actually not a fan of love stories or anything considered romantic; I absolutely detest the romantic comedy genre, unless it comes from Shakespeare or Molière. And Tears of Heaven did indeed have more than a few cringe-worthy lines that pander to the proudly sentimental, maudlin, soap-opera penchant in Koreans but make me reach for a vomit bucket. However, the production values of Tears of Heaven were so good that I was able to forget quite comfortably that I was watching a love story. I have seen a couple of London West End productions in my lifetime and I felt that Tears of Heaven would not have been out of place at the West End. The set-designs, the props and costumes were all convincing and impressive. There are several scenes that use interpretative dance, shadows or both to quite good effect and successfully portray the theme of hidden emotions, which ties in well with Tianna’s theme “Shadows on My Heart”.
The music was absolutely stunning. And it helped that it was being sung by equally stunning singers. Junsu, Yoon Gongju, Brad Little and the actress who played Quyen all sang their numbers wonderfully. In fact, there wasn’t single weak voice in either the main or supporting cast. The production’s investment in hiring Frank Wildhorn and a Broadway music team clearly paid off.
Except for a couple of places in Brad Little’s acting, where I thought I saw the Phantom materialise from in front of a smoke machine, the acting from the main cast was solid. Special mention must be made here to Junsu’s co-star, Yoon Gongju. Not only did she have difficult parts to sing, which she executed with poise and skill, but her acting too deserves every compliment that exists. It was that good. She even had this cynical b*tch on the verge of tears in several scenes. Junsu made me forget that he existed. This might not sound like a compliment but it is. It means that Junsu successfully disappeared into his role and made me forget that I was watching an idol’s career vehicle. By half an hour into the First Act, I was simply watching a good musical production and Junsu was just another musical actor. Junsu was especially good at capturing the enthusiastically innocent and youthful side of Joon. He became comfortable enough with the role that he ad-libbed many times, adding his own interpretative touches.
The old lady in San Francisco carrying the hippy Peace sign and the gay cross-dresser were love itself.
Review of Tears of Heaven: The Not-so-Good
As stellar as Junsu’s acting was, I couldn’t help but feel in a couple of scenes that his interpretation of Joon didn’t quite benefit the plot. As I said before, Junsu captures the youthful enthusiasm and innocence of Joon, a simple Korean soldier who dreams of becoming a writer when he returns home after his tour in Vietnam. I hear that Jeong Dongseok, one of the other actors in the role of Joon, chooses to emphasise rather the more artistically passionate and fiery side of the aspiring writer. I wonder what it would have been like if Junsu had decided to bring forth more of this aspect to his interpretation of Joon. Perhaps the falling-in-love and actual love scenes between Joon and Linh, which felt rushed and slightly unrealistic for Joon’s character as expressed by Junsu, would have been more believable.
Several of the backdrops were clearly CGI-rendered and shoddily completed.
Tianna’s costume in the last scene is unfortunate.
As I said before, some of the lines should have been left in the latest episode of Days of Our Lives.
Review of Tears of Heaven: The Downright Disappointing
Before attending the show, I’d read several accounts by Korean fans on the Internet and each obsessed about the kiss scene and bed scene in the musical. Several fangirls testified that the heat in those scenes brought them to near fainting. And given that this musical is after all a love story, I had high expectations for the kiss and love scene.
The kiss scene wasn’t terrible, but it’s true that I’ve seen steamier kissing on the streets of Paris. They don’t call it French kissing for nothing. Unfortunately, Junsu’s kiss forgot to bring back that parfum from his last trip to Paris. At the kiss scene, the girls beside me whipped out their binoculars for the first time, but left me wondering whatever was worth the peep.
When I read the hype around the bed scene, I immediately recalled the time I watched Russian opera Lady Macbeth of Minsk on its opening night at the Opera of Geneva. The bed scene from this production involved the female lead on her back in bed belting a high F whilst her male co-star was doing “it” showing his naked behind for the entire audience to see. Therefore, I was wondering if I would also be seeing Junsu’s famous posterior in such naked detail for Tears of Heaven too. Alas, it was not to be. The “bed scene” consisted of Junsu and the female lead playing Ring Around the Rosies round Linh’s bed. I’m still bitter about it.
Post-Show Situation and Wrap-up
After the show, I needed to go to the loo, but there were so many women in line that the Theatre staff allowed many of us to use the men’s toilet. I felt truly sorry for the guys who stepped in for a leak to find that they’d have to hold it in a little longer. Crossing the lobby, I saw a huge crowd gathering, already taking pictures even when no one was there where their cameras were directed. I only found out later that several celebrities, including Junsu’s good friend Kim Hyunjoong, were due to arrive for the evening show.
I’ve had time since to gather my final thoughts on Tears of Heaven. It was well worth the ticket price and I can see it go on to immense success in the rest of Asia. However, I believe it’s success in North America and Europe will be limited. First of all, comparisons to Miss Saigon will be unavoidable, despite the fact that the productions share more differences than similarities. Secondly, I doubt that people in White-majority America and Europe are ready for a production where the protagonist is a Korean/non-White. For this reason alone, I would advise the producers of Tears of Heaven to cast Kim Junsu in the Broadway run as well. At the very least, his Korean and Japanese fans will sell out every show and fly over to watch it (again), there by increasing the musical’s chances of a good reception.
Shared by: JYJ3
LOL cool =DDDD nice fanaccount jimmie ^^ very not fangirly LOL XDDD but eh kiss scene not hot enough O.O ooooo i need to see a vid to judge LOL XDD
haha… I really enjoyed Jaejoong’s kiss scene in Heaven’s Postman despite the fact that it was not really hot (I’m referring to the NG) it made me squeal like nothing I’ve ever done^^
As for the bed scenes, an outright naked Junsu might pose some problems for the production team as well as the audience… ¬¬
hahah..thank you Jimmie!..women…women..haha,,poor some MR.!!!the kiss still not enough hot for you haah..I want to see enough for me or not!!! thank you so much! really fun!
THANK YOU JIMMIE <3 <3 <3 hahaha. your review is indeed….YOURS. ahahah
very non-fangirling and very objective 
I"m glad that we're able to hear objective review for the show, coz so far, all that the fans have shown us is the VERY VERY good side of Toh 
"The “bed scene” consisted of Junsu and the female lead playing Ring Around the Rosies round Linh’s bed. I’m still bitter about it." ———— LMAOOOOOOOOOOOO HHAHAHAHAH
Thanks for the fanaccount Jimmie. IT´s really new and unique and new again XD to read a fanaccount like this. Thanks for your sincerity.
Despite the -no so good points- you found in the musical I´m glad you enjoyed it
. How I wish I just could fly to Korea to watch the musical. I´m suffering since Mozart T___T
So,the kiss is not hot enough? … sorry but as a fan, I¨M GLAD! XD … I know they are acting and everything… but….
And I didnt know there was also a bed scene!! (NO WAY!!) ><
And showing Junsu´s back?!!! NOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO!
LOL XD sorry, I believe I´m just just too crazy-obssesed-fangirl to endure something like this (altough it´s acting and so on)
Thanks again Jimmie!
hahaha…I think you misunderstood me. Junsu did NOT show anything worth showing I’m afraid. That’s what I was sorely disappointed at…I expected a steamy bed scene but the bed scene in ToH was just that…a scene…with a bed in it. So much for expecting to see a recreation of Lady Macbeth of Minsk =_=;;
LOL… I’m not Junsu-biased so I don’t feel your pain but if Jaejoong was denied a chance at a real bed scene as opposed to a scene with a bed in it… ¬¬
You are right! -big sigh- blame my bad english and my rush at reading The Downright Disappointing part.
Mmmm… But I believe it´s normal that there isn´t a partial naked- … bed scene, right?
I mean… I watched a lot of K-dramas that barely have kiss scenes so I though that the korean people was very conservative about these things…
Was i wronng? Oo
Dear Jimmie,
You truly make me laugh. I love and enjoy your account and hunger for more. Thank you so much. Muack!
Hi, Jimmie!
Thanks for the unbiased review.
I really enjoyed reading it. Just wanted to ask, how were Junsu’s low notes? I always felt like that was what he needed to improve on in terms of singing for musicals. Like, if the songs were a pitch higher, they’d sound better for his voice, hehe. Just curious. 
He definitely struggles, but thankfully there weren’t many very low notes and you could understand what he was singing.
Who are you, Jimmie? I’m rather new to the blog…Are you a part of Admin, here? Are you Korean?
How would you know about how Korean Government got involved in Vietnam War as the way you described it?
I haven’t read all the comments that are posted here so you may have to repeat yourself but please bear with me. I was too young to know the whole story but
we were told that because of U.S. and U.N. involvement in Korean War, it was expected of us. Portraying Korean soldiers as “cruel torturers” doesn’t sound right. In a fierce battle, it’s either you or the enemy. Would you want to be killed because you don’t want to look vicious or cruel? I think the word “bravery” sounds more suitable to describe men who sacrificed themselves for their honor. If you think I’m wrong, you have to educate me on this. Thanks.
Hi Heartchaser, I’m not an admin on this site. Yes, I am Korean. And it appears from your objections, you are too.
Of course from the perspective of the Korean soldier who participated in the Vietnam War, they were doing this for their country and to honour the memory of the Korean War. I don’t argue about this. And I’m sure that this logic also played a role (big or small) in the Korean government’s decision to send our troops. But it’s also true that the Korean government at the time was given extra incentive to send troops over under the US command. This is not new or controversial information now. You can search it on google or naver if you like.
And on whether Koreans are “cruel torturers” by nature…I don’t want to enter into a philosophical discussion on human nature here…but as I said, this was an image propagated by the Japanese, not us. But it is true that Korean soldiers skinned Vietcong and suspected Vietcong alive. Not something any of us are proud of but it is true…
Jimmie – YOU lucky duckie to have made it to Junsu’s performance! Thanks for your review. I hope Junsu makes it to the Broadway production – then this ahjumma might be tempted to a nite out on Times Square. ^–^ And to follow up on your dissapointment over the kiss and bed scenes, I must say I notice that actors seldom kiss for ‘real’ on korean dramas or movies – I guess it is a nod to cultural (read confucian) mores. Sounded like you had a pretty good time!
hi JImmie… thank you for ur unbiased fanacc.. ^____^
i love every bits of it..
and i need to comment on the kiss.. lols..
since it’s already his 4/5 performances, i read his kisses were vary in every performances.. hahha.. so maybe u werent lucky enough to see the ‘deep kiss’ that fans have been talking abt.. kekekeke
Thank you jimmie! I love how you put even the bad parts of it..Its like I’m reading a real review and not just fan account..very insightful
and for the bed scene, If junsu ever show his posterior on the stage, I fear for his life..Just imagine thousand of fangirls jumping on stage trying to jump him lol
“The “bed scene” consisted of Junsu and the female lead playing Ring Around the Rosies round Linh’s bed. I’m still bitter about it.”
I’m going to start off with the last, first. ROFLMAO!!!
The visuals conjure up musical chairs!
That was so worth everything that preceeded it!
Thank you Jimmie for this wonderful account – from the backdrop info to the after performance ambiance. Yes, it definitely reads different from other ‘fangirl’ accounts.
It’s nice to know it’s possible to get a fair description of something so talked about. I’m hoping too the producers will re-think their decision and use JunSu in the Broadway production. Not only because I would only have to hop onto Amtrak and go from Philly to NYC in a couple of hours and voila! But because it would give me a chance to join others who want so much to show South Korea what a treasure they have in 1/3 of JYJ (along w/the other 2/3). Talent like his should be seen and heard whenever and wherever it can be.
I’ve only heard snippets of the score, but what I have heard sounds truly wonderful. I’m a fan of stage productions, dramatic or musical. So, it would be no hardship for me to enjoy a first rate production, no matter it having a foreign focus.
I have to admit I would not be able to compare it with Miss Siagon because I grew up in the Vietnam era, and have my issues as an American with that part of our history. So, I purposely have not seen it.
I don’t think having a foreign protagonist would be that much of a stretch for American theater goers. People who frequent Broadway are a more savvy group than say, mom and pop from Iowa, or fans of The Jersey Shore (MTV).
There have been a number of ethnic productions that have been successful lately- The Color Purple, Sarafina, Bollywood, The Lion King (still running), and there have been others in the past. There have even been drama productions over the years with interacially mixed leads. So, don’t totally, discount the possibilities.
Good cultural productions draw audiences who simply like well produced shows. They are up for the challenge of viewing themes different from their own.
With regards to the differences in role interpretations, isn’t it possible the director instructed each of the leads according to their personas? After all JunSu’s image is more youthful and innocent. Besides, I can only imagine as each role comes his way, he will grow accordingly.
And unlike yourself, I am a romance mush. So, I like romantic story lines. Although, I did get a kick out of your description of the binoculars being whipped out!
Again, Jimmie, thank you for your ‘fanaccount’, it was well worth the wait.
PEACE
thanks jimmie for the fanacc.a great review indeed
the kiss is not hot enough??i thought they have french kiss for the first show
i’m glad TOH is a worth show to watch
Thank you so much for your Fanaccount Jimmie! I had a wonderful time reading it. I adore your sense of humor, you know that? XD
Junsu’s interpretation of Joon reflects himself in a way. Youthful, aspiring. I like how you added the additional background info. omg when I saw the MV at SYC ;A;
I really want to see Junsu make it in Broadway. I hope he will be given the chance in the near future. He seems to really enjoy musicals.
Thanks again for the fanaccount XD god i can’t stop laughin at ring around the rosy! XXD
ps. what is your favorite song and act?
Your review is way over my head. I love cheap romanticism.
“Necessary Background Information”
Other than wiki, where can I look up the history of the Vietnam war and the ppl involved. I should look more into it cause my dad has PTSD (I’m not sure if he ever was diagnosed but he has strong syndromes) from being in that war. And I remember him mentioning his rendezvouses with native women as a American soldier. I was like “really did that just come out?” lol. Til this day I’m like I might have more siblings than I think I do. Reading your necessary background info makes me want to do some research lol.
“The entire affair felt like a field trip with the Junsu Fan Club.”
>”< lol. Is that a good thing or?
"It means that Junsu successfully disappeared into his role and made me forget that I was watching an idol’s career vehicle."
Cool. "And it was good."
"As I said before, some of the lines should have been left in the latest episode of Days of Our Lives."
DEAD…sorry that was funny.
"And given that this musical is after all a love story, I had high expectations for the kiss and love scene."
I already know what you're about to say. Damn it those fangirls brought your expectations up huh…watch them be let down in 3,2,1…
"The “bed scene” consisted of Junsu and the female lead playing Ring Around the Rosies round Linh’s bed. I’m still bitter about it."
See…I knew it XD lol. DAMN it was that bad huh? Ring around the rosy? And all was bad, real bad. What you compared it too though was unnecessary. Maybe the style of the play was meant to be not so 'in your face' in "romanticism" or maybe what you're saying is the fangirls interpretations made you expect it to be such of duckass and under the sheet thrusts LOL.
"Secondly, I doubt that people in White-majority America and Europe are ready for a production where the protagonist is a Korean/non-White. For this reason alone, I would advise the producers of Tears of Heaven to cast Kim Junsu in the Broadway run as well. "
Le sigh, I'm so tired of RACE playing a part in the outcome of things. What the hell does how someone LOOK and their culture and plays into the overall talent and quality of of a production (I'm talking to the world who's not ready, not you Jimmie). I understand though, this world is not a utopia, there's still people stuck on the "googly eye for the strange guy" thing. Le sigh. smh.
What if Euro-nations are ready though? Or maybe I'm in my own bubble assuming they can be. But I did assumed there was never going to be an African American president in America. And woop de doo in my time there is one. Hey that tells us it can happen.
Anyway funny objective review.
I totally understand your tiff with Junsu and how some ways he interpret the character doesn't really benefit. Though I haven't seen the play or gotten any glimpse into how Junsu 'acts' in his role of Joon to give my own personal concise objective opinion I trust your opinion that the way he portrays Joon has it's good and bad points. Don't they all? Maybe that'll be another goal, another leap forward in his musical acting career another rock to turn. All is good
.
Great review and all the women there omg (facepalm) I'm a girl and even I would feel uncomfortable as a girl.
Regarding info about the history of the Vietnam war, other than Wiki, this might give you some options to choose from…
http://www.bing.com/search?q=history+of+vietnam+war&form=OBMSGD&pc=OBRN
With regard to your comment about race…being someone of color, I for one do want the authenticity to be there. It does depend on the nature of the production. If it is to have some historical relevance, yes accuracy does count.
I personally do not want to see another Caucasian woman playing the ‘passing’ role in ‘Imitation of Life’, it is just so bogus.
Can someone put a production out that goes against the grain, sure, but make sure it makes sense. Ex: Shakespeare productions in Central Park, have cast non-whites in many of the leading roles. Somehow, they seem to work. It depends. There have been all-black representations of previously all-white productions. They work because the story context can fit any culture.
With ethnic roles, if it is going to be part of the story, why not be accurate? A white guy playing the part of Joon, just is not going to work. It takes it all out of context. Let it be germain is all I’m saying.
I completely agree!!!
such a great review. thank you Jimmie. i always enjoy reading your written stuffs. uhm, by any chance, do you know how can i reach hopeforjyj? it seems that it has become private and i cant access it. thank you so much….
I heard that the blog owner is on vacation and that’s why she changed the setting. She should be changing it back once she returns.
Ouch..thanks for d info. hope she’ll be back soon
Thanks so much for writing this Jimmie. I like how this review contains the bad as well as the good… actually it made me want to see it more. If it plays in Broadway and Junsu is in it – it might give me an excuse to fly over there (even though it’s very expensive for me)!
thanks for the review, i really enjoyed reading it xD
i wish i could see the musical T________T