After a few years of film and drama projects, actor Song Chang-eui (Cinderella Man, Boys Don’t Cry, Scale of Providence) is keeping his promise to fans in returning to the title role of the musical Hedwig (aka Hedwig and the Angry Inch). He had originally taken the role of the transgender rocker back in 2006 to much praise, and out of the many actors who played the part (Jo Seung-woo included), Song Chang-eui has generally been called by fans the Hedwig they’d most like to see back.

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Queen Seon-deok’s incredible success has raised the popularity of the group of men who play the Hwarang, or elite Silla warriors, within the drama. Now they’ can be seen onstage, as they are featured in a musical of their own called Hwarang, which follows their growth in a “lively, touching” story.

In contrast to their roles in the drama, in which the Hwarang are involved in politically motivated storylines, the musical takes a look at each of the five Hwarang members’ respective origins and dreams as they mature into their warrior roles.

To be accurate, the musical is not a direct spinoff from the drama — it had been preparing quietly over the past year under the name “H” — but no doubt its production is aided by the raised profile from Seon-deok’s success. Interest is also high because the musical comes from producer Choi Mu-yeol, who produced Maria Maria, which was the first small-theater production to win a musical Daesang.

Hwarang opened this weekend with its first performance on October 30, and will run through January 3.

Via TV Report

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Aw, this is one project I wish I could see in person. (Often I read about theater productions and feel left out by being halfway around the world.)

The always-wonderful film and theater actor Hwang Jung-min (Accidental Couple, Happiness) is taking on the lead role in the musical version of Wedding Singer, which is based on the Adam Sandler/Drew Barrymore comedy of the same name. The musical was first produced on Broadway in 2006 and is now being adapted for its first time on the Korean stage.

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We’ve already seen the power of actor Kim Joon’s name in selling musical tickets (when Kim Joon began appearing two weeks into the musical’s run, ticket sales shot up 30%). Here are more scenes from his theater debut in Youth March [젊음의 행진]. These photos come from a press call on August 12, held at the Coex Artium theater in Seoul where the musical is currently running.

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T-Max rapper and Boys Before Flowers actor Kim Joon isn’t the lead role in his musical debut, but no matter: his name still drew flocks of fans to the Coex Artium on his first night onstage.

The musical Youth March [aka March of Youth, 젊음의 행진] began running on July 18, but the 29th marked Kim Joon’s first performance (which is double-cast between him and another actor). Lest you doubt the pull of his name, the audience fill rate rose 30% on that night from previous nights, nearly selling out the theater completely. According to Kim’s management, this is due not only to the attendance of his domestic fans, but even that of fans who’d come from other parts of Asia, such as Taiwan.

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