Kim Sun-young picked as new heroine of 'Wicked'
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Kim Sun-young
By Kwon Mee-yoo
The Korean production of the smash hit musical "Wicked’’ found its new green witch in veteran actress Kim Sun-young.
Kim, 40, will replace Oak Joo-hyun in the lead role of Elphaba starting in May, the musical’s producers said Tuesday. Wicked is based on the 1995 Gregory Maguire novel on the origins of Elphaba, the “Wicked Witch of the West” in L. Frank Baum’s “Wizard of Oz,” and has been a worldwide hit since it had its debut on Broadway in 2003.
It arrived in Seoul in November last year and quickly became one of the hottest tickets in town.
Kim says she was drawn to the production because of Elphaba’s character.
"She is alienated by others because of her green skin, but she keeps fighting for what she sees as right,’’ she said.
Kim is one of the most in-demand actresses on the Korean musical scene, shining in major roles in works such as "Evita,’’ "Elisabeth’’ and "Jekyll and Hyde.’’
She will alternate in the role with Park Hye-na, who has been playing the role with Oak. Other cast members include Kim Bo-kyung and Jeong Seon-ah as Glinda and Lee Ji-hoon and Jo Sang-woong as Fiyero.
The Korean version of “Wicked” is being staged at the Charlotte Theater in southern Seoul in an open-ended run. For more information, visit