Seven Korean musicals to be performed in Tokyo

A total of seven Korean musicals will be performed in Tokyo’s affluent Roppongi district, according to local entertainment company CJ E&M.

The Korean company is collaborating with Amuse, a prominent Japanese entertainment agency, for a project to stage Korea’s homegrown musicals with all-Korean cast starting next April.

The shows are: CJ E&M’s “Cafe-in,” “Poongwoljoo,” “Finding Mr. Destiny” and “While You Are Asleep,”; PMC Production’s “Music in My Heart” and “Brothers Were Brave”; and Aga Company’s “Singles.”

“A lot of executive members from Amuse have been visiting Korea for the past year,” said Min Ji-hye from CJ E&M. 

“They have been seeing a lot of Korea’s homegrown musicals, paying particular attention to the works of young directors and writers. The seven selected works were mostly chosen by the Amuse staff members who have seen the shows in Korea.”

Min said they were especially impressed by the culture of Seoul’s Daehangno district and its artistic flair and energy. Filled with big and small theaters and performance art-themed events, Daehangno is noted for its vibrant performing arts scene as well as youthful culture.

“Japan’s musical market is a lot bigger than the one in Korea,” Min told The Korea Herald.

“I think what interested the Amuse members the most was the young, creative spirit of Daehangno, and how young people freely create works that are highly original and interesting.”

Amuse renovated a 900-seat venue, Roppongi Blue Theater in Tokyo’s affluent district, into a musical theater earlier this year. The venue was initially opened in 2007 to accommodate American theater organization Blue Man Group’s lengthy residency performances in Japan.

Min said ticket prices would range from 75,000 won to 100,000 won, and they are expecting to raise about 20 billion won ($18.3 million) from ticket sales of the project.

CJ E&M said it will continue to make efforts to stage more Korean musicals in the theater, after the staging of the seven shows from April 2013 to April 2014.

Korean musicals have been gaining popularity in Japan in recent years. Last month, CJ E&M showcased Korea’s original musical “Run to You,” which features a total of 22 songs by Korea’s pop group DJ DOC, in Osaka’s Shochiku-za Theater last month. Its opening show received a standing ovation from the audience, the company said.

“Gwanghwamun Younga,” a first-love-themed musical featuring late composer Lee Young-hoon’s music, was also first staged in Osaka last week. The tickets were sold out for the opening show on Nov. 10, and the performance received positive reviews from the local press in Japan, according to CJ E&M.

By Claire Lee (dyc@heraldcorp.com)