Musical 'The Man in Hanbok' Sparks Fan Outrage Over Refund Policy Amid Casting Controversy

The musical 'The Man in Hanbok' is embroiled in controversy following an unexpected casting change on its preview opening night, coupled with disputes over the production company's refund policy.

On the first preview day, October 2nd, actor Jeon Dong-seok, who was scheduled to perform as Yeongsil, was forced to withdraw just before curtain due to a severe case of acute laryngitis that made vocalization impossible. Despite his efforts to perform, it was determined that his condition would not allow him to proceed. Jeon Dong-seok personally addressed the audience, expressing his deep apologies with tears.

In his place, actor Park Eun-tae, who was in attendance, stepped in for the performance. While the casting change itself was deemed unavoidable, the subsequent refund policy announced by producer EMK Musical Company ignited fierce backlash from fans.

According to attendees, EMK informed the audience that they would receive a full refund if they left after the first act, but no refund would be given if they stayed for the second act.

The Korean musical market traditionally offers full refunds for casting changes, a common practice given the significant influence of actor-centric ticketing. However, EMK's unprecedented conditional refund policy has drawn strong criticism. Many argued that asking audience members, especially those who traveled considerable distances, to leave after just one act was unrealistic and unreasonable.

Fans who traveled to see Jeon Dong-seok expressed their frustration, stating, "I bought tickets to see the actor, and being told to leave after the first act doesn't make sense," and "Even for a preview, a full refund for a casting change should be standard."

EMK Musical Company released an official statement apologizing for the inconvenience caused by the unexpected casting change and wished Jeon Dong-seok a speedy recovery. However, they offered no specific explanation regarding the controversial refund terms.

Given that the success of Korean musicals often hinges on the fan bases of specific actors, with audience members choosing tickets based on who is performing, EMK's move to impose conditions on refunds is seen as potentially damaging to audience trust. All eyes are now on how this initial controversy will affect the ongoing performances and EMK's future audience relations.

Korean netizens are expressing strong dissatisfaction with the situation, commenting, "Asking people to leave after just one act is ridiculous," "A full refund is the basic right when a lead actor is changed," and "EMK's handling of this is disappointing."