Chloe Rice and Roni Shelley Perez in a scene from ‘Comfort Women’ A New Musical playing at NYC’s Peter Sharp Theatre. Photo by NK KIM
World War II was a time of unspeakable horrors. The fighting and the loss of lives are only a few of the terrible events. One atrocity that is starting to become better known is the fate of Asian women lured into sexual slavery to serve the Japanese Imperial Army. They became known as ‘comfort women.’ The subject is one rarely mentioned because of the cultural shame suffered by the women. A new musical, Comfort Women, tells the story of a Korean teenager who enters this world. Her journey and others portrayed in the show are representative of the plight that happened to thousands of unsuspecting women.
‘Comfort women’ included girls as young as 14, who were promised well-paying jobs abroad. Many lived in poverty so this seemed the answer to their problems. Instead, they were taken to locations to forcefully serve as sex slaves for 50 to 100 soldiers a day. Many died from the horrendous mistreatment. There are a small number of survivors still alive today who are scarred forever, living in shame and reluctant to speak out about what happened to them.
Dimo Hyun Jun Kim, from Seoul, South Korea, is a Writer and Director of Comfort Women. Mr. Kim offers this information::
In the past century, Korea and Japan have dealt with many historical arguments. Sexual Slavery is one of the most controversial subjects between our two countries. But in the past 70 years, Korea couldn’t get an official apology from Japan. I believe that our generation has a responsibility to remind the world of the distorted history of sexual slavery and human rights. But, sexual slavery is not just a political problem between Korea and Japan. It is a global human trafficking issue from other countries as well. Victims from World War II are still alive and what’s most troubling is that this is still happening in the world.
The Story
Sam Hamashima, Abigail Choi Arader, Jake Vielbig – Photo by NK KIM
‘Comfort Women’ begins with scenes in a Korean village living under the jurisdiction of Japanese law. Life is difficult and harsh. Mr. Komimo comes with promises of high wages for those women willing to move to Japan to work in a sugar factory. Goeun is one of the teenage girls who decides to take his offer. They leave on a ship supposedly bound for Japan and a new life. Using abstract but descriptive choreography, their lives are turned inside out as they are abused by the soldiers. They land in Jakarta, Indonesia in 1942 where their lives of servitude begins.
Matheus-Ting-Jake-Vielbig – Photo by NK KIM
The story forwards to 1945 at Semarang, Indonesia where a plot develops to free the girls. It also shows problems within the Japanese Imperial Army where Korean men serve but receive harsh treatment from the Japanese men. An additional side plot is also explored about the troop’s General and his son. Shades of the war ending are seen as American planes fly through. All of this is added to the attempt to free the women. Some make it out, some do not. The end shows some of them returning to their Korean village changed from the way they left. And yet, hope still seems to be in the air; a tribute to the human spirit.
Writers for Comfort Women include Dimo Hyun Jun Kim, Osker David Aguirre, and Joanne Mieses. The book for the show does some good character development especially with several of the young girls and the soldiers during the Semarang scenes. The relationship between Goeun and Minsik, the Korean solder, is well done and adds much to the scope of the story both during the captivity and afterwards. The story of a laundry worker contributes to the escape plot but parts are not needed and may need to be cut.
Music is Bryan Michaels and Taeho Park. Lyrics are by Bryan Michaels. There are some very fine songs both of despair and hope. The songs with choreography are well done as well.
Overall, this is a good show with a tremendous story to tell. History buffs will want to see this to get a view of events not well-known. As little known as they are, they need to be put out there. Comfort Women does that in a stern, yet lyrical manner.
One warning: There is a strobe light that is intense when a back piece of scenery opens. If sensitive to that type of light, check with the very fine staff prior to the start of the show to get an idea of when it is coming and prepare as needed.
Additional Information about Comfort Women
Running Time: Approx 1 hr. 45 minutes
Location: Peter J. Sharp Theater, 416 W. 42nd Street, New York City
Performances: Wednesdays, Thursdays, Fridays and Saturdays at 7:30PM with matinees on Saturdays at 2PM and Sundays at 2PM. There are also Sunday evening performances at 7PM. This show runs through Aug. 26, 2018.
Tickets and Information: Consult the website for the Production Company Dimo Kim Musical Theatre Factory at https://www.dimokimfactory.org.