[Feature Story] Kinky Boots: More Than Just Red Boots

   A dazzling drag queen, a struggling shoe factory, and a pair of striking red boots. Kinky Boots is far more than a story about footwear. It is a bold, heartwarming journey of self-acceptance, stepping beyond limitations, and embracing others for who they truly are.

   Inspired by a true story, Kinky Boots follows Charlie, a factory owner on the brink of failure, and Lola, a fearless drag queen with a vision, as they join forces to create boots that defy expectations and redefine confidence. With high-energy music, dynamic stage design, and a message that resonates, the show delivers an unforgettable experience that leaves audiences both moved and empowered.

   But here is the bigger question. Do we truly embrace each other’s differences? Beneath the glitter and glam, Kinky Boots challenges us to reconsider our own perceptions, all while dazzling us with a story that is as joyous as it is thought-provoking.

Trying on each other’s shoes

   Kinky Boots is a story about breaking free from societal expectations and embracing oneself unapologetically. Charlie and Lola come from completely different backgrounds, but both struggle under pressure to fit into predefined roles. The key symbol that represents their contrasting childhoods is shoes. Charlie, burdened with the responsibility of inheriting his family’s shoe factory, holds traditional men’s dress shoes, while Lola, raised by a strong, hyper-masculine father, wears bold red heels. Their journey begins with the song The Most Beautiful Thing in the World, which suggests that shoes define who we are.

   Charlie wrestles with the pressure of continuing his father’s legacy while feeling the fear of failure, and Lola faces a world that refuses to accept her for who she truly is. However, as they come together, they realize that true success is not about conforming to others but embracing individuality and standing tall in one’s identity.

   Kinky Boots is not just a flashy show with vibrant music and a fun atmosphere. It conveys a deeper message about viewing the world through others’ eyes and how real change begins when we break free from familiar constraints and adopt new perspectives. The starting point for this change is trying on each other’s shoes, that is, making an effort to understand someone else’s life.

   Charlie, raised under the burden of inheriting his father’s shoe factory, has no passion for the shoe industry and lacks the will to run the factory. On the other hand, Lola, raised under the strict expectations of becoming a “real man,” finds it difficult to express herself as she truly is. Though coming from entirely different worlds, both Charlie and Lola share the common experience of losing themselves in the pursuit of others’ expectations. However, when they begin to “try on each other’s shoes,” they start to realize what they had missed. Charlie learns the courage to break free from old norms through Lola, and Lola, in turn, finds the space to fully accept herself alongside Charlie.

   The story of Kinky Boots begins with Charlie inheriting his father’s shoe factory, but he faces the pressure of running a failing business without any passion for the shoe industry. When he meets Lola, a drag queen who needs sturdy boots for men, their collaboration sparks a transformation. Despite their vastly different backgrounds, their unique ideas and skills come together to create shoes that challenge conventional stereotypes. Charlie decides to make boots for queens, stepping away from the factory’s traditional image, but his biggest fear lies in the responsibility of carrying on his father’s legacy and the possibility of failure. Meanwhile, Lola must confront her own identity and learn how to live freely, overcoming her father’s rejection.

   Ultimately, Charlie and Lola both learn valuable lessons from each other. Charlie gains the courage to break free from the conventional mold, and Lola learns how to fully accept herself. Through trying on each other’s shoes, they grow and transcend societal expectations. The iconic Kinky Boots symbolize their journey beyond societal norms, as they embrace their true selves. This musical highlight the importance of accepting our own identities and respecting others as they are, leaving a powerful message for the audience.

Debunking misconceptions about Lola

   Lola embodies Kinky Boots’ most powerful message—self-acceptance. She refuses to shrink under society’s judgment and walks her own path with confidence. Rather than conforming to the standards imposed by others, she chooses to be unapologetically herself, challenging the audience to reflect on their own biases.

   Her entrance number, Land of Lola, is one of the show’s most dazzling and flamboyant moments, setting the tone for her fearless character. She delivers a striking line: “I like being looked at, and you like to look. I know a way to make us both happy.” This is more than just a witty remark—it is Lola’s declaration that she will shine on her own terms, no matter how the world perceives her. The question remains: Do we truly accept ourselves as we are? And just as importantly, do we allow others that same freedom?

   In 2024, South Korean comedian Lee Ho-kwang’s performance of Land of Lola captivated audiences, sparking a Kinky Boots boom in the country. However, it also led to some common misconceptions about Lola as a character.

   One of the biggest misconceptions is assuming that Lola is a gay character. Ironically, Kinky Boots establishes Lola as a heterosexual man. Because drag culture has historically been associated with LGBTQ+ communities, many people automatically assume that Lola must be gay. However, in an interview, playwright Harvey Fierstein explicitly stated that Lola was written as a straight man, and nothing in the script suggests otherwise.

   What is fascinating, however, is that audiences often interpret Lola’s character through their own lens. Fierstein once remarked that “People hear what they want to hear,” highlighting how deeply ingrained stereotypes influence perception. That being said, some Broadway actors who played Lola have chosen to portray him as gay, or have left his sexual orientation open to interpretation.

   But does Lola’s sexual orientation even matter? At its core, Kinky Boots champions accepting people exactly as they are—without labels, without judgment. Whether Lola is straight, gay, or somewhere in between is irrelevant. The real takeaway is that whoever someone is, they deserve to be embraced for their true self.

   In the South Korean production, a subtle but intriguing relationship dynamic is hinted at between Lola and one of Charlie’s factory workers, Pat. Watching their interactions—through Lola’s expressions, body language, and playful remarks—adds another layer of depth to the performance.

What is true courage?

   The musical redefines the meaning of “courage.” While courage is often seen as facing fears head-on, Kinky Boots shows that true courage lies in being honest with yourself and accepting others for who they are.

   Charlie is forced to confront his greatest fear: acknowledging that he might fail while trying to save his family’s factory by exploring new markets. Meanwhile, Lola, though comfortable with accepting herself, is afraid to confront the pain of not being accepted by her father. As the story progresses, both characters realize that true courage does not come from hiding weakness, but from embracing yourself as you are.

   This message becomes even clearer in the latter half of the musical. After much internal conflict, Charlie decides to run the factory in his own way, rather than continue his father’s legacy. Lola comes to terms with her past and chooses to stop seeking approval from her father. The musical ends with the powerful message: “You change the world when you change your mind.”

   While Kinky Boots dazzles with its vibrant stage design and energetic numbers, the audience does not just leave with smiles. They are moved to tears during the dramatic final number, Everybody Say Yeah!, and throughout the show, many find themselves wiping away tears during songs like Raise You Up & Just Be. This musical goes beyond just delivering flashy performances; it breaks the fourth wall, offering comfort and solace to its audience. That is why Kinky Boots has remained beloved for over a decade.

The power of lighting in storytelling

   In Kinky Boots, where every musical number is captivating in its way, Lola’s solo number Hold Me In Your Heart in the latter half of Act 2  carries a particularly profound impact. While energetic songs like Land of Lola, Everybody Say Yeah!, In This Corner, and Raise You Up & Just Be bring excitement, and inspirational numbers like Take What You Got and Step One offer hope and determination, Hold Me In Your Heart delivers a unique grandeur through its simplicity. Let us explore what makes this number so powerful.

   Hold Me In Your Heart is a moment where Lola stands alone on stage, performing a heartfelt song. Dressed in a stunning yellow gown, she is bathed in a single spotlight. Structurally, the number follows the typical format of a protagonist’s solo in a musical, but what makes it stand out? The answer lies in the use of lighting.

   Among the many types of stage lighting, backlighting is often used to separate the actor from the background, directing the audience’s attention solely to the performer. However, in Hold Me In Your Heart, backlighting is not just used for this purpose—it plays a crucial role in shaping the entire atmosphere. Several strong backlights are positioned behind Lola, shining directly toward the audience, while an intense spotlight simultaneously illuminates her from the front. This seemingly simple technique creates an incredibly powerful effect.

   When a light significantly brighter than the usual stage lighting suddenly shines toward the audience, their vision naturally becomes limited. The background disappears into darkness, and even the fellow audience members seated nearby fade from view. At that moment, the only thing visible is Lola, standing in the center of the stage. This clever lighting design transforms the experience—it feels as if Lola is singing directly and intimately to each individual in the audience. Rather than remaining passive spectators, they become part of the performance itself. This effect enhances the emotional depth of the song, demonstrating how a single lighting technique can immerse the audience entirely in Lola’s world. The importance of experiencing a song as if it is sung to just one person becomes clear in Lola’s line that follows immediately after the number. You can witness this yourself in the seventh production of Kinky Boots, running from December 2025 to March 2026.

   Kinky Boots reminds us of the importance of understanding and accepting each other’s individuality, showing that sometimes the true way to understand someone’s experience is by stepping into their shoes. Through Lola’s delicate side, which seemed always to be flashy, and Charlie’s strong determination, which appeared to be naive, the musical delivers a message about self-acceptance, courage, and the power of personal change. As the audience and actors come together, united by the glowing lights and the flicker of cheering bracelets, the moment passes, but one question still shines brightly.

   Ladies, gentlemen, theys, them, and you. Are you ready to step into someone else’s shoes and walk their path?