7th Korea Musical Awards Triple Crown Winner Musical 'SHOWMAN: The Fourth Understudy' Starring Mitsuru Matsuoka / Featuring Runka, Masaaki Fujioka, Marisa, Shoichi Fukui, Rion Fukumuro
The masterpiece Korean musical 'SHOWMAN: The Fourth Understudy,' a triple crown winner at the 7th Korea Musical Awards, will have its Japanese premiere starring Mitsuru Matsuoka from September 1st to September 13th, 2026, at the New National Theatre, Small Theatre. It is attracting attention as a work that combines high artistry, entertainment, and social relevance, depicting universal themes with a talented cast and luxurious live music.
📋 Article Processing Timeline
- 📰 Published: May 8, 2026 at 21:05
- 🔍 Collected: May 8, 2026 at 12:32
- 🤖 AI Analyzed: May 8, 2026 at 23:45 (11h 12m after Collected)
“Have you ever been yourself for a moment?”
A masterpiece Korean musical that combines entertainment, artistry, and social relevance is finally coming to Japan!
The musical 'SHOWMAN: The Fourth Understudy' will be performed from September 1st (Tuesday) to September 13th (Sunday), 2026, at the New National Theatre, Small Theatre. This production is a hot topic, having won the Grand Prize, Best Play Award, and Best Actor Award at the 7th Korea Musical Awards, and also being nominated for the Music Award. It has received high praise as a work that combines entertainment, artistry, and social relevance, attracting attention as a representative masterpiece of the Korean musical world. The story unfolds around the encounter between Nebla, an old man who lived in the past as the "fourth understudy" for a dictator, and Su-a, a young woman living with past wounds. Through their interaction, the musical poses the universal question of "What does it mean to be oneself?" leaving a deep impression on the audience.
The Japanese version of this moving work, which incorporates elements of black comedy while depicting human dignity and raison d'être, brings together a talented cast and creative team. Mitsuru Matsuoka plays the protagonist Nebla, and Runka plays Su-a, alongside other skilled actors such as Masaaki Fujioka, Marisa, Shoichi Fukui, and Rion Fukumuro. Furthermore, the delicate and grand music, performed by a luxurious six-person live band in the small theatre, colors the story. Matsuoka, the lead actor, powerfully stated, expressing his strong empathy for the work's theme as both an actor and an artist: "I couldn't hide my shock that the words I had searched for, woven, and poeticized for 32 years were so abundantly present in this script. I'm going to find out with my own eyes, my own body, and my own heart whether the state of my heart, which I wouldn't even want to show if I could, truly exists within this work." His strong enthusiasm for this production, based on his feelings after celebrating his 30th anniversary, is evident.
The original Korean script is by Han Jeong-seok, and the music is by Lee Seon-yeong. Keita Shirai is in charge of the Japanese version's script, lyrics translation, and direction, and Kazuki Kunihiro is the music director, delivering new appeal as a Japanese production. The musical 'SHOWMAN: The Fourth Understudy' will be performed from September 1st (Tuesday) to September 13th (Sunday), 2026, at the New National Theatre, Small Theatre. Performance details can be found on the official website.
## Synopsis
In 2020, in a small town in New Jersey, USA. Su-a, a Korean-American employee of the large supermarket "Good-Day Mart," was visiting amusement parks, her only hobby, when she met Nebla, a suspicious old man who worked as a clown. Mistaking Su-a for a professional photographer, Nebla asked her to take his portrait. At first, Su-a misunderstood that she was being asked for a tip, but she decided to take the portrait photos, thinking it might be a way to earn some pocket money. However, contrary to Su-a's expectations, Nebla had a grand plan and intentions for this photoshoot. As the shooting began, Nebla began to act out his life with all his might, saying, "I want to leave behind my true self." Although Su-a felt a sense of rejection and disgust, she somehow couldn't stop the shooting, and eventually, the day of the photoshoot that would delve into the core of Nebla's life arrived.
### Nebla (Played by Mitsuru Matsuoka)
A eccentric old man engrossed in his past as a dictator's understudy.
### Comment
I couldn't hide my shock that the words I had searched for, woven, and poeticized for 32 years were so abundantly present in this script. This is because I have dedicated my life to that purpose. And that is my motivation for participating in this work.
Could the state of my heart, which I wouldn't even want to show if I could, truly exist within this work?
I'm going to find out with my own eyes, my own body, and my own heart. If I were to regret knowing, I wouldn't have known from the beginning.
I will make Nebla live as Mitsuru Matsuoka's Nebla. I feel joy and resolve in being able to do that.
### Profile
Born on August 12, 1971, in Osaka Prefecture. In 1995, made his major debut as the vocalist of the rock band SOPHIA, celebrating its 30th anniversary last year. Produced many SOPHIA masterpieces such as "Machi" and "Kuroi Boots," and also works as a music provider and producer for renowned artists like enka queen Sachiko Kobayashi. With a 24-year career as an actor, he has starred in numerous dramas, films, musicals, and stage productions, continuing to appear in a wide range of roles. In recent years, he has gained attention for his guest appearances as a Rider in Kamen Rider works, becoming the artist responsible for the most theme songs in Kamen Rider history. He is a creative artist who transcends the categorization of a vocalist, active in various fields such as publishing photo books, writing novels, product design, being a program personality, and being appointed as a hometown ambassador for Kadoma City, Osaka Prefecture, his birthplace. His main recent works include 'LAZARUS' (25) directed by Akira Shirai, and 'Ki' directed by Kenichi Suehiro.
A masterpiece Korean musical that combines entertainment, artistry, and social relevance is finally coming to Japan!
The musical 'SHOWMAN: The Fourth Understudy' will be performed from September 1st (Tuesday) to September 13th (Sunday), 2026, at the New National Theatre, Small Theatre. This production is a hot topic, having won the Grand Prize, Best Play Award, and Best Actor Award at the 7th Korea Musical Awards, and also being nominated for the Music Award. It has received high praise as a work that combines entertainment, artistry, and social relevance, attracting attention as a representative masterpiece of the Korean musical world. The story unfolds around the encounter between Nebla, an old man who lived in the past as the "fourth understudy" for a dictator, and Su-a, a young woman living with past wounds. Through their interaction, the musical poses the universal question of "What does it mean to be oneself?" leaving a deep impression on the audience.
The Japanese version of this moving work, which incorporates elements of black comedy while depicting human dignity and raison d'être, brings together a talented cast and creative team. Mitsuru Matsuoka plays the protagonist Nebla, and Runka plays Su-a, alongside other skilled actors such as Masaaki Fujioka, Marisa, Shoichi Fukui, and Rion Fukumuro. Furthermore, the delicate and grand music, performed by a luxurious six-person live band in the small theatre, colors the story. Matsuoka, the lead actor, powerfully stated, expressing his strong empathy for the work's theme as both an actor and an artist: "I couldn't hide my shock that the words I had searched for, woven, and poeticized for 32 years were so abundantly present in this script. I'm going to find out with my own eyes, my own body, and my own heart whether the state of my heart, which I wouldn't even want to show if I could, truly exists within this work." His strong enthusiasm for this production, based on his feelings after celebrating his 30th anniversary, is evident.
The original Korean script is by Han Jeong-seok, and the music is by Lee Seon-yeong. Keita Shirai is in charge of the Japanese version's script, lyrics translation, and direction, and Kazuki Kunihiro is the music director, delivering new appeal as a Japanese production. The musical 'SHOWMAN: The Fourth Understudy' will be performed from September 1st (Tuesday) to September 13th (Sunday), 2026, at the New National Theatre, Small Theatre. Performance details can be found on the official website.
## Synopsis
In 2020, in a small town in New Jersey, USA. Su-a, a Korean-American employee of the large supermarket "Good-Day Mart," was visiting amusement parks, her only hobby, when she met Nebla, a suspicious old man who worked as a clown. Mistaking Su-a for a professional photographer, Nebla asked her to take his portrait. At first, Su-a misunderstood that she was being asked for a tip, but she decided to take the portrait photos, thinking it might be a way to earn some pocket money. However, contrary to Su-a's expectations, Nebla had a grand plan and intentions for this photoshoot. As the shooting began, Nebla began to act out his life with all his might, saying, "I want to leave behind my true self." Although Su-a felt a sense of rejection and disgust, she somehow couldn't stop the shooting, and eventually, the day of the photoshoot that would delve into the core of Nebla's life arrived.
### Nebla (Played by Mitsuru Matsuoka)
A eccentric old man engrossed in his past as a dictator's understudy.
### Comment
I couldn't hide my shock that the words I had searched for, woven, and poeticized for 32 years were so abundantly present in this script. This is because I have dedicated my life to that purpose. And that is my motivation for participating in this work.
Could the state of my heart, which I wouldn't even want to show if I could, truly exist within this work?
I'm going to find out with my own eyes, my own body, and my own heart. If I were to regret knowing, I wouldn't have known from the beginning.
I will make Nebla live as Mitsuru Matsuoka's Nebla. I feel joy and resolve in being able to do that.
### Profile
Born on August 12, 1971, in Osaka Prefecture. In 1995, made his major debut as the vocalist of the rock band SOPHIA, celebrating its 30th anniversary last year. Produced many SOPHIA masterpieces such as "Machi" and "Kuroi Boots," and also works as a music provider and producer for renowned artists like enka queen Sachiko Kobayashi. With a 24-year career as an actor, he has starred in numerous dramas, films, musicals, and stage productions, continuing to appear in a wide range of roles. In recent years, he has gained attention for his guest appearances as a Rider in Kamen Rider works, becoming the artist responsible for the most theme songs in Kamen Rider history. He is a creative artist who transcends the categorization of a vocalist, active in various fields such as publishing photo books, writing novels, product design, being a program personality, and being appointed as a hometown ambassador for Kadoma City, Osaka Prefecture, his birthplace. His main recent works include 'LAZARUS' (25) directed by Akira Shirai, and 'Ki' directed by Kenichi Suehiro.