Star vocalists dazzle at The Korea Times musical gala

Soprano Kang Hye-jung performs in "The Musical," a gala concert commemorating the 75th anniversary of The Korea Times, at Lotte Concert Hall in southern Seoul, Monday. Korea Times photo by Choi Won-suk

By Pyo Kyung-min

• Published Nov 11, 2025 1:17 PM KST

Under the soaring ceiling of Lotte Concert Hall in Seoul's Songpa District on Monday evening, three of Korea's finest vocalists gathered for a night of theatrical brilliance. The Korea Times marked its 75th anniversary with its gala concert, "The Musical."

Guided by veteran music director and conductor Kolleen Park, soprano Kang Hye-jung and musical theater stars Michael K. Lee and Choi Jae-rim turned the night into a sweeping celebration of theatrical artistry and the newspaper's lasting legacy.

Anticipation was palpable long before the curtain rose, as concertgoers — some affiliated with the English daily but many simply drawn by the promise of great music — began crowding the gates hours ahead of showtime.

As the High Tone Symphony Orchestra opened the performance with the "Titanic Suite," Kang appeared in a green gown, the newspaper's symbolic color, her crystalline voice filling the hall as she sang "My Heart Will Go On." The opening unfolded like a history of modern musicals, with Broadway passion meet orchestral splendor.

Lee first took the stage for "Out There" from "The Hunchback of Notre Dame," his bright, impassioned tone soaring through the hall. His decades of Broadway experience showed in his mix of vocal control and confidence, and his final note drew a burst of applause.

"It's an honor to be part of this special celebration marking The Korea Times' 75th anniversary," the musical star said after his performance. "I truly hope that this new chapter beyond the 75-year mark will open the way to even greater dreams and momentum."

Choi brought real fire and passion to his performance, delivering each line of "Into the Fire" from "The Scarlet Pimpernel" like a call to arms, his deep, commanding tone powered by the orchestra's driving rhythm. Later, in "Bring Me Giants" from Frank Wildhorn's "Cyrano de Bergerac," he turned that same intensity inward.

"I'm both thrilled and grateful to be performing in such a traditional acoustic hall again," Choi said. "I chose ‘Into the Fire' thinking about how The Korea Times, throughout its 75-year journey, has always advanced with the same fearless spirit, stepping into the flames to move forward."

Kang and Choi's duet of "Before and After You" and "One Second and a Million Miles" from "The Bridges of Madison County" stood out as one of the night's most moving performances. Their chemistry felt almost cinematic, their harmonies blurring the line between performance and confession.

As the applause faded, Kang returned for "Oh My Love" from the musical "Anna Karenina." Her voice traced the outlines of heartbreak with exquisite control, the hall falling into reverent silence as her final note lingered in the air.

Despite the nonstop pace, the concert never lost its force, each number meeting the next with equal power and conviction.

Choi reappeared with "Remember" from the film "Troy." The audience leaned in as his voice swelled with the music. Lee returned with "You Must Love Me" from Andrew Lloyd Webber's "Evita," in which he is starring currently, singing with understated sorrow rather than grandeur.

Lee and Choi sang together again for "Lily's Eyes" from "The Secret Garden," their voices intertwining in grief and longing, the singers communicating emotion through sheer vocal prowess.

The finale, "Barcelona" by Freddie Mercury and Montserrat Caballé, exploded with vocal color. Kang's operatic brightness and Choi's thunderous resonance collided, soared and finally fused in a triumphant and joyful close. When the last chord landed, the hall erupted into cheers, whistles and a long ovation.

Throughout the evening, Park served as a quiet architect, shaping the tempo and cueing entrances with precision. Her command made the transitions between sweeping symphonic grandeur and intimate, chamber-like focus seamless.

As the crowd spilled into the cold November night, traces of melody followed as someone softly hummed the "Titanic Suite" while another laughed that it was "the first concert I've stayed awake through from start to finish."

"It was such a delight. I can't believe it's a Monday. My ears feel blessed," Lee, a woman in her 40s, said after the show. "I'm grateful to The Korea Times for bringing together these amazing artists."