Lee Hae-rin is a City Desk reporter at The Korea Times, covering social issues, tourism and taekwondo. She is passionate about speaking up for the rights of minorities, including women, LGBTQ+, people with disabilities and animals as well as discovering the latest makgeolli trend in town. Feel free to reach her at lhr@koreatimes.co.kr.
Broadway’s ‘Frozen’ musical comes to Korea
Cast members of the Korean premiere of the musical "Frozen" / Courtesy of S&Co
By Lee Hae-rin
The Korean premiere of the Broadway musical “Frozen” recently announced its cast, whose members are now sharing behind-the-scenes stories of auditions, emotional casting moments and their anticipation for bringing the global hit to local audiences.
Produced by S&Co in association with Disney Theatrical Group, the musical — based on Disney’s blockbuster animated film — will open at Charlotte Theater in Seoul on Aug. 13 and run through March 1, 2027. A Busan run is scheduled for 2027 at Dream Theatre.
The production, which set a Broadway record for advance ticket sales, is known for its spectacular staging — including depictions of Arendelle and Elsa’s ice palace — through elaborate set design, choreography and special effects inspired by Scandinavian landscapes.
Leading the cast are three of Korea’s top musical divas, as Jung Sun-ah, Jung Yu-ji and Min Kyung-ah — all established through high-profile turns in major licensed productions —will rotate in the role of Elsa.
Jung Sun-ah, known for performances in “Wicked,” “Aida” and “Dracula,” recalled the emotional impact of the iconic song “Let It Go,” saying, “Elsa is a character who embodies both strength and anxiety. I want to portray her not just as a character, but as a human story audiences can deeply relate to.”
From left, Jung Sun-ah, Jung Yu-ji and Min Kyung-ah, cast members portraying Elsa in the Korean premiere of the musical "Frozen" / Courtesy of S&Co
Jung Yu-ji, who built her career with roles in “Notre Dame de Paris,” “Jekyll and Hyde” and “West Side Story,” called Elsa “a dream role.”
“I’ve probably sung ‘Let It Go’ more than any other song in my life,” she said. “It was a role I desperately wanted. When I was told during auditions that I was ‘an actor who moves people,’ I was so overwhelmed I could barely hold back tears.”
Min Kyung-ah, acclaimed for her turns in “Aida,” “Chicago” and “Red Book,” described the casting as both a turning point and a breakthrough. “Many people associate me with Anna, so taking on Elsa felt like both a challenge and an opportunity for change,” she said, “When I heard I got the role, I was happier than ever.”
The role of Anna will be shared by Park Jin-joo, Hong Geum-bi and Choi Ji-hye, all with strong credentials in musical and screen work.
Park, who has balanced film and drama appearances with stage work in “Maybe Happy Ending” and “Red Book,” said the audition itself felt like “a big challenge and adventure.”
“Anna is similar to me, which makes her both lovable and difficult,” she said. “She’s bright and cheerful on the outside, but also lonely and afraid. I want to show the real emotions behind that brightness.”
Hong, who has impressed in shows like “Dear Evan Hansen,” “Come from Away” and “Bonnie and Clyde,” said she “fell in love with Anna at first sight” when she watched the film.
“I even went to my audition with a crossbody knit bag because I wanted to express Anna’s spirit — someone who is always ready to take on a new adventure,” she said.
Choi, who recently played Jasmine in the Korean production of “Aladdin” and has appeared in “Marie Curie” and “Frankenstein,” said, “After I finished (my audition), I was so nervous that I walked toward the opposite wall instead of the door. The director laughed and told me, ‘You were just like Anna.’”
Kristoff will be played by Cha Yoon-hae, seen in “Les Miserables,” “Moulin Rouge!” and “Ghost”; and Shin Jae-beom, whose credits include “Kinky Boots,” “Maybe Happy Ending” and “Monte Cristo.”
Snowman Olaf will be portrayed by Jung Won-young, a 20-year stage veteran who recently stole scenes as Genie in “Aladdin”; Han Gyu-jung, a seasoned performer from “Les Miserables,” “The Phantom of the Opera” and “Life of Pi”; and Lee Chang-ho, a popular comedian and creator making his official musical debut after participating in the adaptation of “Beetlejuice.”
Associate director Adrian Sarple said the Korean company was cast with “clarity of character above all else” in mind, highlighting how each actor brings a distinct interpretation while still serving the story’s core. He added that there is “genuine chemistry between the Elsas and Annas,” calling their relationship “the heart of Frozen” and praising the performers’ storytelling instincts as much as their vocal power.
Associate music supervisor Sebastian de Domenico noted that the Korean performers “bring all of the above qualities in wonderfully distinct ways,” pointing to what he described as a “unique sound aesthetic” in Korean musical theater. “We wish to preserve this while meeting the specific sound everyone expects from Frozen,” he said, adding that this approach will help “bring a truly special performance to life.”
Tickets and further details for “Frozen” will be announced later on the production’s official website.