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 From left, Yoon Hyeong-ryeol, Moon Jong-won, Choi Soo-hyung and Kim Seong-min of 4ONE. The group released its first album titled “The 1st Story ― Musical.” / Courtesy of POS Communication |
By Chung Ah-young
Staff Reporter
First, there were the boys from F4 taking the television world by storm in the hit drama, ``Boys Over Flowers.'' Now, the musical scene has its answer in 4ONE, a new band comprised of musical actors who have teamed up for the release of their first album, titled ``The 1st Story― Musical.''
The stars ― Yoon Hyeong-ryeol, Moon Jong-won, Kim Seong-min and Choi Soo-hyung ― performed in the musicals ``Notre Dame de Paris'' and ``Don Juan.''
It's the first case in Korea of musical actors getting together to form a group, though many have gone solo to release their own albums.
The debut album offers hit numbers from the two musicals. ``Beginning with this album, the group members will pursue their pop music careers through a progression of albums which explore various genres. `2nd Story ― Pop' and `3rd Story ― Classic' will follow,'' Pos Communications, the group's management agency, said in a press release.
The album includes musical numbers ``Le Temps Des Cathedrales,'' ``Belle,'' ``Lune,'' ``Du Plaisir'' and ``Les Fleur Du Mal,'' reinterpreted into pop versions. ``The songs will sound different from the stage versions because they have been rearranged with soft, sometimes powerful vocals, similar to the pop style. And in the next albums, they will present various genres and new styles,'' the agency said.
Yoon is renowned for his heartbreaking vocals in the role of Quasimodo, the pure-souled, hunchbacked bell ringer of the cathedral in ``Notre Dame de Paris.'' He debuted as a singer in 2006 to little acclaim.
Moon has starred in numerous musicals, including ``Rent,'' ``Man of La Mancha,'' and ``Notre Dame de Paris''.
Besides Moon, the band features three rising stars who each made their debut appearance in ``Notre Dame de Paris.'' Both Kim and Choi played the role of Phoebus in the musical. Moon performed as Clopin.
Yoon, Choi and Moon are performing in the current production of ``Notre Dame de Paris,'' which is based on the well-known tragic novel by Victor Hugo.
With lyrics by Luc Plamondon and music composed by Richard Cocciante, the show is renowned for beautiful and heart-wrenching musical numbers. The choreography spans various dance styles from ballet and contemporary dance to apparatus gymnastics and break-dancing. ``Notre Dame de Paris'' will continue through Aug. 27 at the National Theater of Korea.
Meanwhile, Kim is starring in the French-Canadian musical version of ``Don Juan,'' the story of a legendary libertine with irresistible charm. Premiered in Montreal in February 2004, the musical is the latest of the blockbuster French-language musicals, in line with "Notre Dame de Paris" and "Les Dix Commandements," to play in Korea. It is now on stage at the Chungmu Art Hall until Aug. 23.
chungay@koreatimes.co.kr
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