Disclaimer: This review is written entirely by a fan of Yoo Yeon Seok, it contains subjective point of view. Spoilers ahead.
When the news of Yoo Yeon Seok doing musical was announced last year, fans embraced it with much excitement and happiness. Excited because Yoo Yeon Seok would embark a new milestone in his career and happy because fans would get to see him performing live on the stage. The musical news was so unexpected, it felt like a jackpot.
Yet for Duttileul (Yoo Yeon Seok), suddenly having the capability of walking through walls was not considered as winning a jackpot. He resented the power so much, he even tried to get rid of it. When he realized what his power can give him (after stealing bread and scaring his boss that is), it suddenly gave him an exhilarating feels he has been lacking all throughout his years of being a pathetic push over. He soon embarked on a Robin Hood journey, stealing all kind of stuff including picture of Monalisa (HA!) and giving it away. Media called the mysterious thief “ddune ddune” and he became an overnight sensation. Downside is no one knew that “ddune ddune” is Duttileul. After realising what a pathetic wallflower he was, he tried to convince his equally loser officemates that he is the “ddune ddune”. Of course, no one believed him. So what did he do to satisfy his crave for attention? Showing off to the police, of course! HA! He got what he wanted, the recognition and imprisonment all at once.
Sad for Duttileul, his fame didn’t come with a visit from the only person he wanted to see and impress. That one person is Isabelle, the woman he falls for at the first sight. She is a married woman who lives with her scary husband in front of Duttileul’s house. Duttileul, craving so much for her love and presence, decided to escape prison to go to her. He asked her to come with him and run together. Isabelle who’s been suffering in her marriage embraced the new love with happiness. The two soon became all lovey dovey but fate is cruel. He experienced severe headache and took the medicine that was given by a traditional healer, not realizing that it was meant to stop his ability to walk through walls. He went to Isabelle’s house to honour their promise but he got trapped in the wall the moment the medicine took effect. His love and body got stuck in eternity on Isabelle’s house, a woman he wanted to call home.
Trust Yoo Yeon Seok to deliver pathetic character perfectly. He looked very cute ala Harry Potter when Duttileul was first introduced. With a round glasses and loose hair, he portrayed his early Duttileul as an ordinary civil servant who lead a dull boring life but still try to live life the fullest. Yet, he managed to drag the audience to feel his pain and frustation at work by showing off dreadful face and voice everytime he got to leave office the latest. He was also on point in showing the audience just how much distrust Duttileul had for himself when he suddenly got the power to walk through walls. Once Duttileul accepted his fate and power, Yoo Yeon Seok turned himself into a bunny energizer who had fun bullying his boss and run around the set wearing yellow wall outfit, stealing stuff. For once, he was more of an oddball in that hillarious thief outfit. He also looks so cute and funny, captivating not only the hearts of his neighbors but also the audience. Even when he tried to get the police to arrest him, he managed to look so endearingly stupid and got the audience to approve his crazy perspective of fame.
Love changes people, some said. That speaks for itself when Yoo Yeon Seok’s Duttileul falls hard for Isabelle. The mood he brought into the set became more melancholic, symbolizing his longing for a married woman. Seriously, who can forget that loving and longing look he shot at Isabelle from afar. For a whole minute, it felt as if Chilbongie was back on stage again. He maintained the melancholic atmosphere until the very end, overshadowing the cruel fate that awaits Duttileul even when he finally got the women he holds most dear.
As someone who just embraces his first professional musical, I am in opinion that Yoo Yeon Seok did very well. His voice was stable during the entire performance. He was not joking when he said he got to sing like 50 songs because his scenes epically dominate the musical. Yet, I can tell when Duttileul was happy, or sad, or sappy in love. In terms of acting, I am also fully aware just how much Duttileul has changed. From someone without confidence, he blossomed full force into a person who is determined to chase his love and thrill in life. Job well done, Yoo Yeon Seok!!
In terms of chemistry, I got to say that he has a better chemistry with actress Bae Da Hee than Moon Jin Ah*. Yoo Yeon Seok – Bae Da Hee scenes were more electrifying and connected. I even thought that his character looked more miserably in love when Bae Da Hee plays Isabelle. He also looks very comfortable with Jo Jae Hyun although I personally enjoyed more of Go Chang Sok’s performance**. Go’s overall performance brought so much laughers as he was more comical and enjoyable, in my opinion. Meanwhile, other performers did well too, particularly actress Lee Myung Mi who plays the songstress and street vendor. Her voice is very classic and captures the essence of what a Parisian songstress will do to captivate her audience.
Overall, the musical was very enjoyable. Yoo Yeon Seok’s performance exceeded my expectation and it gave me a sense of satisfaction and proudness as a fan. So when the curtain finally closed down, I am hoping that he is happy with his performance and positively considering another musical in the future. #crossfingers
If you wish to see other videos of Yoo Yeon Seok’s performance in the musical, you can check the following vidoes on youtube: [1] [2] [3] [4]
Little note
Yoo Yeon Seok joined the rest of cast member for an after-performance interview on 12 January 2016. He answered few questions from audience / fan and the answers he provided was pretty funny. He was first praised for his good looks before he got a weird follow-up question on how he became a very ordinary looking civil servant at the beginning of the show. He totally puzzled with the question although the MC said that the audience’s question was ended with another praise that he fits Duttileul character perfectly. So fit, he was later asked about the power he wishes to have. He said he doesn’t want to have Duttileul’s power, but the power to move around places (perhaps, teleport?) because he hates traffic in Seoul.
Yoo Yeon Seok also answered another question about the similarity between himself and Duttileul. He (perhaps half-jokingly) said he liked to collect stamps and likes rose, just like Duttileul. He also loves the outfit that Duttileul has, pointing to the black brick suit he is wearing. He’s totally joking, right?
If you wish to see the interview, you can see it online here
* Bae Da Hee and Moon Jin Ah play Isabelle interchangeably
** Jo Jae Hyun and Go Chang Sok play 3 different characters (traditional healer, police, Duttileul’s lawyer) interchangeably
photo credits as tagged
YeoNiverse - Yoo Yeon Seok International Fan Club 
Wish I could see him on that stage too.. And knowing that he tackled this challenge so well even some said he must learn a lot more makes me a proud fangirl too! It shows much about his huge passion in acting! Good job yooffaa good job!