'Radio Star' Named Best Musical

By Cathy Rose A. Garcia
Staff Reporter

"Radio Star", the musical version of the hit film, was named Best Musical at the third Daegu Musical Awards Monday.

The awards ceremony marked the end of the Daegu International Musical Festival (DIMF), which ran from June 15 to July 6. A total of 24 were staged during the 22-day festival period.

"Radio Star" is about the life and friendship of a washed up but arrogant rock star and his naive manager who dreams of the star's comeback. It featured refined stage design, appealing music and a well-developed plot that elicited laughter and tears from the audience.

The creative musical award was given to "Special Letter", a homegrown musical subsidized by the DIMF. Described as a "jolly military musical", Special Letter is about a young man named Jung Eun-hee, who receives a love letter from a soldier who thinks he is a woman. The musical illustrates a lighter side of military life.

The Best Actor award went to Seo Bum-seok, who played the manager in "Radio Star".

The Best Actress award was given to Australian actress Debra Byrne for her role in the heartwarming musical "Metro Street". The Australian production Metro Street, created by Matthew Robinson, vividly expresses the life of three generations of family in a modern society.

Two actors were cited for the Best Supporting Actor roles, namely Korean actor Park In-hwan of "Gomoryung in Rain", and Russian actor Yuri Golubtsov of "Poor Liza".

As for Best Supporting Actress, the honor was given to Bae Hae-seon of "Three Musketeers".

The Musical of the Year award was given to the popular musical "Mamma Mia". Six actors and actresses were given Star of the Year awards, namely Kim So-hyeon, Nam Kyung-joo, Ock Ju-hyun, Yoo Joon-sang, Yoon Hyeong-ryeol, and Choi Jeong-won.

Daegu, located 300 kilometers southeast of Seoul, is fast becoming a hot spot for theatergoers and musical buffs. The festival is aimed at promoting original musical productions, and expanding the local musical infrastructure.