A 54-episode drama that has contributed to boosting the Korean Wave, or hallyu, in Asian countries, starring actress Lee Young-ae, is being revived as a homegrown blockbuster musical.
"The Great Jang-geum," a musical version of the hit soap opera "Jewel in the Palace" that aired on MBC four years ago will be staged at the Seoul Arts Center in May.
It has a 40-member lineup and some six billion won has been spent to convert the long epic series into a two-and-a-half-hour musical gala. "Jewel in the Palace" has been broadcast in more than 50 countries.
The musical’s producer is PMC Production, known for the flagship nonverbal performance show "Nanta" (Cookin’) revolving around chefs. "Nanta" has been performed in many countries.
For the Jang-geum role, three actresses - Kim So-hyun, Ahn Yu-jin and Choi Bo-young - have been cast.
Actors Won Ki-joon, who is enjoying popularity for his current role in "Prince of the Legend" (Chumong), and Kim Woo-hyung, starring as Chad in "All Shook Up," will play Min Jung-ho, who is in love with Jang-geum.
Veteran actress Yi Tae-won, who starred as Queen Min in "The Last Empress," will return to play as a court lady.
The story revolves around Seo Jang-geum, the first legendary woman of the Choson Kingdom who became the supreme royal physician.
Despite her low-social status in the male dominated society, Jang-geum overcame social discrimination and landed a job as a royal cook, later becoming a royal physician and becoming the physician in charge of the king.
The drama captured the hearts of its many viewers with the story of Jang-geum’s dramatic life - the rise and fall of her career and her love story.
The musical version will put more emphasis on Jang-geum and the love story centering on her, according to Han Jin-sop, the director of the musical.
People from a Chinese theater, a Japanese broadcaster and a Singaporean stage company took part in the showcase.
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ASIANPOPCORN
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