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

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Singer and actor Lee Ji-hoon (You’re My Destiny, Hello Miss) is wrapping up his role of the Prince of Denmark in the musical production of Hamlet and had a few thoughts on the experience playing one of Shakespeare’s most memorable characters.

And while I’d like to make some thoughtful commentary on his taking the role and the existential soliloquy it’s most known for, I’m too distracted by how awful Lee Ji-hoon looks in these photos. I like the guy, really I do — he has an approachable warmth to his acting — but he looks like some cheesy cosplaying Luke Skywalker/The Bachelor hybrid. It was almost enough to make me file it as an “Oh Snap” and make some inappropriate commentary about the handling of his sword and maybe some references to thrusting technique.

(At the risk of alienating y’all further, I cannot be the only person who hears the words “Hamlet” and “musical” spoken together and immediately flashes to the old Gilligan’s Island episode where they set the soliloquy to Carmen, right? I KNOW you know what I’m talking about. Update! Here we go. The Offenbach has to be my personal favorite.)

Back to Lee Ji-hoon. The role of Hamlet is actually being shared among four actors; Lee Ji-hoon alternates with Park Gun-hyung, Im Tae-hyung, and Yoon Hyun-ryul. Currently, he’s spending his free time practicing his sword skills, particularly for his fight with Laertes, since timing is the most important aspect in the fight choreography.

Lee explains that he’d always wanted to do a musical, having begun his singing career more than ten years ago and now enjoying a television acting career: “I want to show people yet another side to me that hasn’t been shown before. I want to try new things and be recognized for them.” With the curtain about to come down on the production, Lee hopes he’ll be able to correct all his previous flaws in his last performance.

Hamlet is currently running and closes on September 21.

Via Newsis

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The cast of musical Cats — which has always creeped me out — performed and gave interviews with press on September 17, featuring two particular kpop names: Ok Joo-hyun, who got her start as the only real singer of girl band FinKL, and this boy-band singer, here.

Can you recognize him?

Filed under: Drama Recaps by javabeans - 11 Comments →

Super Junior members Heechul and Kangin are taking the lead roles in the camp musical classic Xanadu (“We are in Xanaduuu~!”) in their musical-theater debuts. They put on a performance at the press rehearsal (i.e., dress rehearsal open to press) on September 8 with the rest of their castmates.

However, audiences won’t be seeing both Suju-ers onstage at the same time, because they’ve been cast in the same lead role playing artist “Sonny” who falls for the beautiful roller-skating “Kira” (they’ll alternate performances). They’ve been rehearsing their singing, dancing, and roller-skating (natch!) skills for the past two months.

Xanadu marks the first musical production put on by SM Art Company (expanding its brand?), and was first produced as a musical film starring Olivia Newton-John in the ’80s. (Now known as a prime exercise in faux-futuristic camp, the film was initially a bomb before it became a cult classic.)

For the curious, check out a number from the original 1980 film starring Olivia Newton-John:

The musical opens on September 9 at the Doosan Art Center.

More XANADU pics >>

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I love Horan. Not only is she a great singer for electronica group Clazziquai as well as indie band Ibadi (not the strongest vocals, but lovely all the same), she’s smart and literate (she put out a collection of essays, served as book columnist for a magazine, and hosted an educational book program on television).

Now the singer-author-MC-radio DJ takes her first stab at a new type of stage: musical theater. Next month, she’ll debut in SHOUT! — “the mod musical” about women’s liberation that takes place in England’s swingin’ ’60s — which has enjoyed successful runs in England, the States, Australia, and Japan. Characters are named after colors (Yellow, Green, Blue), and Horan steps into the role of “Red.”

SHOUT! runs from October 24 through January 18 in Seoul’s Cecil Theater.

Via Sports Khan

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