Park Ji-won is a writer for The Korea Times who has been covering a wide range of topics from Korea’s culture to its politics. An avid journalism enthusiast to the core, Ji-won brings a thoughtful and unique perspective to every topic she covers. On weekends, you'll often find her contemplating life’s purpose on a yoga mat — with a cup of quality tea in hand. A native Korean speaker by birth and fluent in English through her work, she went to college in Japan and is learning Chinese and French — hoping to add Polish, Russian and Thai to the mix.
Musical 'Jekyll & Hyde' to hit stage with new cast
Seen are cast members of the musical “Jekyll & hyde.” From left in the top row are actors Ryu Jung-han, Hong Kwang-ho and Shin Sung-rok playing Jekyll/Hyde. From left in the second row are actresses Yoon Gong-ju, Ivy and Sun-min playing Lucy Harris. From left in the third row are actresses Cho Jung-eun, Choi Soo-jin and Min Kyoung-ah playing Emma Carew, Jekyll's fiancee. Courtesy of OD Musical Company
By Park Ji-won
By Park Ji-won
Poster for the musical “Jekyll & hyde” Courtesy of OD Musical Company
The one of the most anticipated musicals in Korea this year, will be staged for about six months from October with a new lead cast including actor Shin Sung-rok.
Set in 19th century London, the 170-minute show is based on the 1886 novel “Strange case of Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde” by Robert Louis Stevenson, and centers on Dr. Jekyll, who believes the good and evil in a person can be separated. Detailed descriptions of characters and dramatic music and lyrics by Frank Wildhorn have contributed to the musical's immense popularity in Korea.
Since its Broadway debut in 1997 and premier in Korea in 2004 the show has been staged over 1,410 times here and has sold 1.5 million tickets.
Jointly produced by Korea's OD Company, TBC and TJB, the production of “Jekyll & Hyde” returns after two years with a new cast.
The challenging lead role of Jekyll/Hyde will be performed by actors Ryu Jung-han, Hong Kwang-ho and Shin Sung-rok. Shin, who became famous after appearing in multiple musicals and TV shows, newly joined the production. As the musical lasts half of the year, the three will alternate the role.
Ryu has been playing the lead role since the musical's premiere in 2004 while Hong has been performing the role since 2008.
Actresses Yoon Gong-ju, Ivy and Sun-min will play in turn the role Lucy Harris, a prostitute and dancer whose life is overturned after encountering Jekyll. Actresses Cho Jung-eun, Choi Soo-jin and Min Kyoung-ah will play in turn Emma Carew, Jekyll's fiancee who is supportive of him yet feels despair.
The musical “Jekyll & Hyde” will be staged at Charlotte Theater in Jamsil, Seoul, from Oct. 19 to May 8 next year. The second round of cast members will be announced soon. Tickets cost from 70,000 won to 150,000 won. The first round of ticket sales will be open from Aug. 31 for the shows to be held from Oct. 19 to 31.