The joint Korean-Japanese musical ‘Dream High’, in which ‘trustworthy broadcaster’ Park Kyung-rim participated as creative director, will finally open in April of this year.

The show musical ‘Dream High’, which had an unusually successful premiere as a domestic original musical in May 2023, exported its license to Japan the following year in 2024, demonstrating the possibility of globalizing ‘K-dance musicals’. As a result of exploring various collaborations for the show musical ‘Dream High’ with a passion for dance, it will be staged as a joint Korean-Japanese musical in April 2025.

In particular, broadcaster Park Kyung-lim, who is committed to contributing to the globalization of K-content and solidifying the status of South Korean dancers, the world‘s best, is drawing attention as she is participating as creative director. With novel and meaningful plans, the long-term vision is drawn through the projectization of K-content, and a more refined production and a more solid lineup are foreshadowed. The choreography, the core of the performance, will be done by Choi Young-jun, the top choreographer in Korea, just like the premiere, to present a more complete stage.

The lead actors of the role of Song Sam-dong, played by actor Kim Soo-hyun in the drama, will appear in the musicals of both countries at the same time. This is a new attempt at K-musicals that takes advantage of the geographical locations and common sentiments of Korea and Japan.

The production company, Art One Company, stated that “‘Dream High’ will be able to show another possibility and expandability of K-content by suggesting the cultural values of Korea and Japan and the possibility of a new musical creation system unique to the Asian cultural sphere based on this.”

Singer Seven will be playing the role of Song Sam-dong, and JinJin of Astro, who played the role of Jason in the musical’s premiere in Korea, will appear on both stages simultaneously. GOT7‘s Youngjae will be joining the triple cast in Korea and Aoi Shota will be joining them in Japan. Infinite’s Dongwoo, who received much love for his role as Jingook in the musical‘s premiere in Korea, will be playing the role of Song Sam-dong’s friend and rival Jingook on both stages.

The musical is also drawing attention with the participation of superstars in the OST through Warner Music, including IU, Wonder Girls‘ Sunye, actress Shin Ye-eun, GOT7’s Youngjae, and former TVXQ singer and actor Kim Jae-joong. With the intention of broadcaster Park Kyung-lim and WeDream Company to support everyone‘s dreams and challenges with ‘cheerful comfort and warm support’, they have joined forces and are foreshadowing the participation of more superstars in the OST to support the dreams and challenges of young people preparing for independence by donating the proceeds from the release of music sources.

Meanwhile, ‘Dream High’ will begin full-scale rehearsals starting with the cast opening in mid-February, hold a production conference at the end of March, and perform in Korea by Art One Company at Woori Financial Art Hall and in Japan by the Show Musical Dream High Production Committee from April 11 to 27 at Theater H in Tokyo.



Reporter Seungmi Lee smlee@donga.com

This article is automatically translated using Google AI. If you notice any inaccuracies, please let us know at allkstar@donga.com.