K-pop is booming, but where is Korea's 'Bohemian Rhapsody?'

By KTimes

Korea has firmly established itself as a global powerhouse in popular music. However, while concert films are now commonly in theaters, movies that dramatize the life of real musicians through actors remain notably rare.

“A Complete Unknown,” a music biopic that depicts the early years of folk icon Bob Dylan during a period of cultural upheaval, is currently screening in theaters. Starring Timothee Chalamet as the young Dylan, the film has garnered widespread attention, topping the box office among foreign releases upon its debut.

It's not the first time a musician’s life has been dramatized on the big screen. The 2018 film “Bohemian Rhapsody,” which portrayed the life of Queen’s lead vocalist Freddie Mercury, played by Rami Malek, drew a massive 9.94 million moviegoers in Korea alone.

Similarly, the 2022 film “Elvis,” starring Austin Butler, followed the journey of Elvis Presley from a truck-driving unknown to a cultural icon under the guidance of talent manager Tom Parker.

While Korea has produced some music-related films, few resemble “A Complete Unknown,” “Bohemian Rhapsody,” or “Elvis” in their dramatization of artists' lives. Concert films, on the other hand, are abundant.

IU's concert documentary “IU Concert: The Winning” recently hit theaters, and “ZEROBASEONE The First Tour [Timeless World] in Cinemas” premieres March 12. “Seventeen [Right Here] World Tour in Cinemas,” showcasing the group’s concert in Goyang, is set to open on April 2.

Despite the soaring popularity of K-pop and Korea’s status as a music powerhouse, there remains a noticeable lack of narrative biopics.

A 12-part drama based on BTS’s “The Most Beautiful Moment in Life” universe was produced, but it did not delve into the members’ real-life stories.

Its own ‘Bohemian Rhapsody’

Experts point to a relatively short history of Korean popular music and the sensitivities surrounding currently active musicians.

“It’s difficult to create a work like ‘Bohemian Rhapsody’ because Korean pop music history is still short and there are few figures who have made major contributions in a historical sense," cultural critic Kim Heon-sik said. "Korean pop music began to truly blossom in the 1980s and 1990s.”

Another cultural critic, Ha Jae-geun, said, “In Korea, it’s challenging to depict the lives of living people or even those from recent history. There is often strong backlash from those involved, and audiences tend to react sensitively, so it’s almost considered taboo. This contrasts with the freedom of expression seen in other countries.”

The lack of precedents makes it difficult to gauge the commercial potential of such films, while the risks are substantial. Biopics naturally involve musical performances, but Korea has few success stories of films that include singing scenes.

Many musical films have failed at the box office, and actors face additional pressure to prepare vocally. Chalamet once revealed that he spent years honing his singing skills, practicing intensively for several months, and dedicating more than five-and-a-half years to the role.

Still, the continued global popularity of K-pop raises hopes for a Korean version of “Bohemian Rhapsody” in the future.

“As K-pop fandom becomes more solidified, a work like ‘Bohemian Rhapsody’ is likely to emerge,” Kim said. “However, it would be best if this type of biopic began in the independent film scene. These projects often hold more artistic than commercial value and usually reflect on a musician’s philosophy and artistic legacy. That’s why mainstream commercial film sectors may not yet be ready to take on such a challenge.”

This article from the Hankook Ilbo, the sister publication of The Korea Times, is translated by generative AI and edited by The Korea Times.