Musical 'Bodyguard' to feature Korea's top vocals
Poster for the Korean premiere of musical “The Bodyguard” / Courtesy of CJ E&M
By Kwon Mee-yoo
Whitney Houston belting out "I Will Always Love You" in the 1992 film "The Bodyguard" is one of the most iconic movie scenes among Koreans. The iconic song will be sung in Seoul this winter, this time by top Korean vocalists who will sing their souls in a theater adaptation of the film.
The musical version of “The Bodyguard” will land in Seoul in December, making its premiere in Asia following its debut in London’s West End, the Netherlands and Germany. Revolving around a star singer and her bodyguard who attempts to protect her from a mysterious stalker, the musical received positive reviews for catchy pop songs cleverly weaved into the narrative.
This is the second musical that Korean entertainment company CJ E&M took part in as a producer, following the success of the Broadway hit "Kinky Boots."
Park Min-sun, CJ E&M's theater division producer, said the company was involved in the production since 2011, when the musical adaptation of "The Bodyguard" was in development.
"CJ E&M's vision is to become a global producing company. We will not be limited to Korea and take part in global production, while developing Korean musicals and bringing it to the world," Park said.
Park said the company thought the Bodyguard was suitable for a musical with its romantic music and public plot. "We put much effort to find the right person to play the roles ― actresses who can bring their own color to Houston's music and actors who are tough yet you could fall in love with," the producer said.
In the Korean production, musical diva Jeong Seon-ah, "Voice of Korea" winner Son Seung-yeon and veteran singer Lee Eun-jin, better known under the stage name Yangpa, will alternate the role of Rachel Marron.
The show’s resident director Jason Capewell, who was involved in the show since its inception, was fascinated with working with three Rachels and two Franks in Korea.
"Jeong has a lot of experience in theater. Son brings a warm, intimate voice to the songs and Yangpa is a wonderful natural singer with a big voice coming from such a small person," Capewell described the cast.
The three Rachels repeatedly said how Houston inspired them to begin a career in music.
"It is a big challenge for me. As a Korean musical actress, I have to play Caucasian roles as well as African-American roles, changing singing methods. In the Bodyguard, I just believe in the power of Houston's music," Jeong, who played the good witch Glinda in "Wicked," earlier this year.
The cast and creative crew of the musical “The Bodyguard” pose for a photo during a press conference at Blue Square in Seoul, Monday. From left are resident director Jason Capewell, Park Sung-woong (playing Frank Farmer), Lee Eun-jin (Rachel Marron), Son Seung-yeon (Rachel), Jeong Seon-ah (Rachel), resident choreographer Jane McMurtrie and Lee Jong-hyuk(Frank). / Yonhap
Yangpa, who made her debut in 1997, has some breaks in her singing career, but she said Houston is her idol who inspired her to start singing.
"Singers can concentrate on their music only, but in a musical, an actress has to master singing, dancing and acting altogether. I was scared of being in the musical theater, but I want to sing Houston's music on stage," Yangpa said.
The agent-turned-bodyguard, which requires less singing, is played by screen actors Park Sung-woong and Lee Jong-hyuk. This is Park's musical debut and Lee has experience in "Chicago" and "42nd Street."
Known for villain roles in films such as "New World" and "The Deal," Park said he comes to the rehearsal after all-night shootings of another movie.
"Filming a movie or a drama is at a rather rapid pace as it is shot scene by scene. However, in a musical, you have to keep the flow for at least two hours. It's like going through hard training," Park said.
Director Capewell said he is delighted to work with the multiple casts. "The principal actors are doing so well. They look at each other's performance and work together, but still become very individual in what they bring to the show," Capewell said.
Though local audiences have the highest expectations on how Houston's famous songs will be rendered, the musical also boasts filmic qualities and intricate choreography that add glamour to the show.
Resident choreographer Jane McMurtrie said the choreography brings another injection to the show through huge production numbers that represent Rachel as a singing and dancing super star.
"The dancers have been very inspiring. It is the hardest working company I've ever worked with," McMurtrie said.
"The Bodyguard" runs from Dec. 15 to March 5. Tickets cost from 60,000 to 140,000 won. For more information, call 1544-1555.