SHINee's Key takes starring role in play

SHINee’s Key / Courtesy of Page1

By Kwon Mee-yoo

K-pop group SHINee's Key will star in a new play, "Save the Green Planet,” at Art One Theater in Seoul’s theater district, Daehangno.

From April, Key will play Byeong-gu, who believes aliens are plotting to conquer Earth and are hiding among Earthlings.

The play, based on the namesake 2003 Korean film, is a science-fiction black comedy that has a cult fan base.

The plot revolves around Byeong-gu and Man-shik, an owner of a chemical production company who Byeong-gu believes is the head of the aliens and conspiring to invade Earth.

The stage adaptation, directed by Lee Gi-na, will maximize lighting and video projection to transcend time and space.

Key debuted as a member of SHINee in 2008 and is a talented actor. His theatrical career began with "Frank Abagnale Jr." in the Korean production of the musical "Catch Me If You Can" in 2012. He then played Clyde in "Bonnie & Clyde," D'Artagnan in "The Three Musketeers" in 2013, Zorro in "Zorro" in 2014 and Usnavi in "In the Heights" last year.

Key will alternate the role of Byeong-gu with Yi Youll and Jung Won-young, while stage veterans Ji Hyun-jun and Kang Pil-suk will take on the role of Man-shik. Actresses Ham Yeon-ji and Kim Yun-ji will play Sun-i, Byeong-gu’s assistant. Yuk Hyun-wook will play various supporting roles, including the detective investigating Byeong-gu.

"Save the Green Planet" runs from April 9 to May 29. Tickets, available from 2 p.m. March 14, cost from 45,000 won to 55,000 won. For more information, call 1577-3363.