“His music needed one thing. Her.”

This simple yet compelling statement beautifully summarizes the essence of the surprise hit indie film-turned-Broadway musical, “Once.”

The 2006 independent Irish musical film -- which started with a next-to-nothing budget and starred two professional musicians Glen Hansard and Marketa Irglova, who had zero professional acting experience -- has been a completely unexpected international success.

A scene from the international cast production of the Broadway hit musical “Once,” being staged at the Charlotte Theater in Seoul until Nov. 1 (Seensee Company)

The Broadway musical sensation debuted its first non-English production in Korea late last year. Following its Korean rendition starring local rock star Yoon Do-hyun as Guy, “Once” has returned to Seoul audiences -- only this time around, it has brought along an international cast.

Starring musical actor Tom Parsons as Guy and actress Megan Riordan as Girl, along with a talented cast that has the daunting task of not only having to act and sing as the lead characters of Guy and Girl do, but take on the role of live musicians as well, with all the cast having to play instruments.

The production starts the show off in a pleasantly unique manner, having the cast members come out on stage and perform a number of songs and allows members from the audience to come up on stage to sing and dance along with the actors.

This similar venture of audience interaction repeats during the intermission, when the audience can once again step up onto the stage, only instead of standing around listening to live music, show-goers were given the opportunity to purchase drinks at the set’s bar, adding to the productions Irish pub atmosphere.

A scene from the international cast production of the Broadway hit musical “Once,” being staged at the Charlotte Theater in Seoul until Nov. 1 (Seensee Company)

Despite the stage drinks and plethora of both upbeat and heart-wrenching songs, practically everyone in the audience had their eyes and ears eagerly set on one performance -- “Falling Slowly.”

Hansard and Irglova’s acoustic single won an Academy Award for Best Original Song in 2007 and is both the film and production’s most iconic number.

In a much appreciated gesture, the musical performed the track twice, once at the beginning and once again at the end, closing out the show. Parsons and Riordan’s rendition of “Falling Slowly” was commendable, with the two’s awkward chemistry down pat. However, both of the performances lacked a certain emotional and vocal gusto from Guy.

The lack of passion could be attributed to the overall audibility in the theater. Despite the production using around 70 audio channels -- most musicals use an average of 40 -- the vocals felt muted throughout most of the show.

A scene from the international cast production of the Broadway hit musical “Once,” being staged at the Charlotte Theater in Seoul until Nov. 1 (Seensee Company)

I found myself wanting the notes to fill the theater and vibrate through my bones so that I could not only hear music, but feel it. With the vocal performances at times a struggle to hear clearly, especially when reaching the powerful upper registers, left the dynamics of the singing falling short, and me in desperate need of that crucial emotional tug.

The show left me somewhat disappointed, though not in regret, as the production did not lag in entertainment and soul. I attended the show without a doubt that my favorite performance of the night would be “Falling Slowly,” but I was pleasantly surprised that Parsons’ take on “Leave” and “Say It to Me Now” left me humming the tunes all the way home.

“Once” runs at the Charlotte Theater in Seoul daily except on Mondays until Nov. 1. Ticket prices range from 60,000 won to 130,000 won. For more information, call (02) 577-1987.

By Julie Jackson (juliejackson@heraldcorp.com)