Global Hit K-Drama Remade as a Musical, Which Japanese Idol is Playing Park Seo-joon's Role? (Itaewon Class)

A hit Korean drama led by Park Seo-joon that surpassed 16% in viewership ratings and topped buzz rankings is being adapted into a Japanese musical.

Kakao Entertainment announced on the 22nd that the musical version of 'Itaewon Class' will premiere worldwide this June at Tokyo’s Brillia Hall. This production is set to become a high-quality musical, brought to life through the collaboration of creators from Korea, Japan, and the United States. The lead role of Park Saeroyi will be played by Kotaki Nozomu, a member of the Japanese idol group WEST., who has previously showcased his musical talent in works like 'The Beautiful Game.'

‘Itaewon Class’ originated as a webtoon by Gwang Jin, serialized on Kakao Webtoon from 2016 to 2020. It tells the story of Park Saeroyi, a man who remains steadfast in his beliefs and principles despite numerous challenges.

The webtoon garnered over 430 million views in Korea and became the foundation for the highly popular Korean drama adaptation. The series gained explosive popularity abroad as well. In Japan, it aired as a drama, and in Taiwan, it was adapted into an HBO original series.

The musical 'Itaewon Class' features a powerhouse creative team from Korea, Japan, and the United States. Renowned playwright Lee Hee-joon, known for works like ‘The Origin of Evil by Darwin Young,’ is responsible for the lyrics and structure. The script is penned by Sakaguchi Riko, who worked on plays and films such as 'The Tale of the Princess Kaguya' and 'The Father of the Milky Way Railroad.'

Music composition is led by Helen Park, a Korean-American composer active in New York. Park made history as the first Asian female composer to be nominated for a Tony Award. The production is directed by Koyama Yuna, a recipient of the Yomiuri Theater Awards for Excellence in Directing.

Creator Gwang Jin expressed excitement about the adaptation, saying, “Hearing the news of the musical adaptation made me incredibly happy. This is the first time the story is being adapted into a musical after the drama, and I have high hopes for it.” He added, “Kotaki Nozomu is already well-known, but after meeting him, I felt confident he would be a great fit for Park Saeroyi.

Saeroyi is not just a character filled with a sense of justice; he is flexible and gentle even in adversity. I’m looking forward to Kotaki Nozomu’s fresh take on the role.” A Kakao Entertainment representative remarked, “Following the Korean, Japanese, and Taiwanese drama adaptations, the musical adaptation of Kakao Webtoon’s ‘Itaewon Class’ is a great example of the value of original IP. We will continue to discover competitive IPs and expand entertainment experiences for our audiences.”

Fans have reacted enthusiastically to the news, with comments such as, “I’m curious to see if he can pull off Park Saeroyi’s role. Who will play Jo Yi-seo which was played by Kim Dami?” and “I’m thrilled! I even started my year by listening to the 'Itaewon Class' OST.” Others expressed slight concerns, noting, “Music is so important in a musical. I hope they capture the essence well.”