[4] A subsequent production opened in Seoul, South Korea, in June 2017 directed by Stephen Rayne that featured major changes to the story and structure.
The musical tells the story of Mata Hari, an exotic dancer who was executed in France following a conviction of espionage during World War I.
Paris, once the glamorous city of light, is suffering amidst the chaos that is World War I. France, Great Britain and Russia (the allies) are fighting against Germany and the Austrian-Hungarian empire (the enemy).
To heal the wounds of war, a beautiful dancer Mata Hari captivates all of Europe, her mysterious dance putting her at the centre of attention within high society.
Meanwhile she begins a relationship with a young French pilot, Armand Gilot, but all is not as it seems...."[6]In 2012, Frank Wildhorn suggested a musical about the life and death of Mata Hari to South Korean producer Hong Hyun Eum.
[6] During this time, Wildhorn also helped to produce Ock Joo Hyun's Gold album that predominantly featured her singing his songs.
- Frank Wildhorn, Mata Hari press conference[8]As the production took shape, Oh Pil Young was brought in to create the set design.
Mata Hari, a dancer and entertainer, is introduced by the Emcee who purposefully addresses the audience as spectators in the Moulin Rouge.
[12] The whole showcase was broadcast on Naver Live TV and clips recorded by other musical news outlets such as PlayDB have been uploaded to YouTube.
[12] EMK Musical Company reported that they had $4.5 million of pre-opening ticket sales and over 100,000 audience members attended the show in their limited eight-week run.