Remember the vampire sitcom Hello Franceska? The quirky three-season series that was made by Soulmate director Noh Do-chul starring Jung Ryeo-won, Lee Kyeon, and, later, Hyun Young?

Well, now it’s been adapted for the musical stage, starring Choi Jung-won as Franceska (the musical actress, not the Kingdom of Wind star), which was played by Shim Hye-jin in the TV series, and boy-bander Chae Dong-ha of SG Wannabe in the role of Kyeon (originated by Lee Kyeon).

More than just a random sitcom, Hello Franceska was notable for its fresh style and, of course, its standout soundtrack (to become a trait of Noh’s work). In the TV show, the vampire “family” has lived for centuries, originally from Romania but having scattered all over the world in the face of increased threats to their existence. The musical version doesn’t follow the exact plot of the television series, but plays along the same themes, with the vampires displaying their offbeat charm as they arrive in Korea and get used to modern-day Korean society through strangers’ eyes.

The musical is playing currently and runs through October 26. Now, finally a musical I wish I could see!

SONG OF THE DAY

Hello Franceska OST – “Study in A Minor” by The Legendary Johan Angergard Group. By the way, this Casker song was also used in the series. [ Download ]

Via Clubcity.kr

RELATED POSTS

• Hello Franceska / 안녕 프란체스카

© javabeans for Dramabeans, 2008. | Permalink | 5 comments | Add to del.icio.us
Post tags: Hello Franceska, musicals

 
I find the following article (indented stuff in dark blue font is the translated article; the rest are my comments) particularly interesting because I’ve thought this topic over a lot in the past, and pretty much completely disagree — not with the article’s logic, but the conclusion. The piece draws upon comparisons between kdramas and their American drama counterparts, which have multiple-season structures that differ from the kdrama format (of single-season, finite series). I have long believed — strongly, at that — that in this respect, the kdrama format far outstrips the U.S. model.

But I’ll get more into that after the article. First, here’s what it’s got to say:

“Demanding More Seasons of Television Dramas”

When popular dramas end, you’ll find these sorts of comments on the audience message boards: “Produce a season 2!” That was the case not long ago with MBC’s Coffee Prince Store #1, as well as Time of Dog and Wolf.

 
(Random) SONG OF THE DAY

The Hi-Lights – “Mister Tambourine” [ zShare download ]

 
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Read the rest of Sequel Mania (1,805 words)

© javabeans for Dramabeans, 2007. | Permalink | 38 comments | Add to del.icio.us
Post tags: Auction House, Bad Couple, Bad Family, drama production, drama ratings, Hello Franceska, Lovers, sequels

 
Hehe, note that with Taereung National Village, I said I’d found a series to watch, not the series to watch. The great thing about watching shows that have long since finished airing is that now, I can watch without worrying about keeping pace with the new episodes every week. This was the second show whose first episode held my interest long enough for me to finish without stopping it halfway through.

 
Hello Franceska is funny. (The title, 안녕 프란체스카, could be read as either “hello” or “goodbye,” but I’ve seen it more readily translated as “hello,” so that’s what I’m using.)

Vampire comedy. Great two-word summary, huh?

Actually, what makes Hello Franceska entertaining isn’t so much the premise (pretty good), but its execution.

 
SONG OF THE DAY

Peterpan Complex – “안녕.” (”Goodbye.” Or I suppose, possibly “Hello,” but the song takes the goodbye meaning. Ironic, since I chose hello over goodbye just above, isn’t it? It’s all about context.)
Trying something new: zShare download

(...)
Read the rest of Hello Franceska / 안녕 프란체스카 (1,965 words)

© javabeans for Dramabeans, 2007. | Permalink | 41 comments | Add to del.icio.us
Post tags: Hello Franceska, Jung Ryeo-won, Noh Do-chul, sitcoms