TVXQ’s Changmin to Star ‘Benjamin Button’, His First Musical Since Debut

▲ Cast of the musical "Benjamin Button." From the top left, clockwise: Kim Jae-beom, Shim Chang-min (TVXQ's Changmin), Kim Seong-sik, Lee Ah-reum-sol, Park Eun-mi, Kim So-hyang. (PHOTO NOT FOR SALE) (Yonhap)

 

 

SEOUL, March 25 (Yonhap) – TVXQ’s Changmin is taking on his first musical challenge, EMK Musical Company announced on the 25^th.

 

Changmin will be cast as the protagonist Benjamin in the original musical "Benjamin Button," which will be premiered at the Sejong Cultural Center M Theater from May 11 to June 30, along with actors Kim Jae-beom and Kim Seong-sik.

 

It's Changmin's first official appearance on a musical stage since his debut with TVXQ in 2003.

 

This production is based on the short story by F. Scott Fitzgerald, famous as the original work of the movie "The Curious Case of Benjamin Button," adapted into a musical. It was selected as the final support work for the CJ Cultural Foundation's Stage Up Project in 2021. EMK Musical Company took charge of the production.

 

Through the life of Benjamin, who is born as an old man and ages backward, the musical portrays the universal human experience of joy, love, the sadness of loss, transcending time and age.

 

Kim Jae-beom, who takes on the role of Benjamin along with Changmin, has been active in musicals such as "Amadeus," "Praise of Death," and "Gone Tomorrow," and has recently appeared in dramas such as "Hyungsarok," "Shlump," and "Doctor Slump." Kim Seong-sik ranked third in the music competition program "Phantom Singer 3" as part of the group "Letté Amour," and has since appeared in musicals such as "Mata Hari" and "Les Misérables."

 

Kim So-hyang, Park Eun-mi, and Lee Ah-reum-sol will appear as the jazz club singer Blue Lou Monier, the female lead. Ha Eun-seom and Kim Ji-sun have joined as Mama, the operator of the jazz club, and Park Gwang-seon will play Jerry, Blue's manager. Scott, who plays various supporting roles including the train conductor, will be played by Song Chang-geun and Kang Eun-il, and the role of Morton will be played by Gu Baek-san, Lee Seung-hyun, and Shin Chae-rim, and Park Kook-seon.

 

The production team includes playwright and director Cho Kwang-hwa, who gave birth to musicals such as "Werther," "Seopyeonje," and composer Lee Nao, who presented emotional music in the musical "South of the Border." Also, Jung Seung-ho, who has been active as a stage designer for over 30 years in musicals such as "Rebecca," "Excalibur," and "Werther," is in charge of stage direction. Object artist Moon Su-ho will use puppets to express Benjamin's age changes.

(C) Yonhap News Agency. All Rights Reserved