There was a time when a roller-skating rink was one of the few places to hang around with friends among teenagers in 1980s.
The skaters enjoyed dancing to the strong dance beat song, "Harlem Desire" by London Boys, radiating their youth as they took a break from school routine.
Not only this piece but also other memorable hit songs from the 1970s-80s will resonate on stage to invoke the audience with nostalgia, along with retro dances and fashion in this new musical, "Really Really Like You".
The musical based on a 70's hit film of the same name will go on stage on June 13, starring actress Park Hae-mi, actors Park Sang-myeon, Lee Pil-mo and comedian Choi Byong-seo.
The musical will show love, hope and frustration among high school students and teachers who experience frustration and finally seek hope through a high school baseball team.
"This musical will present the pure Korean emotional touches", actor Park Sang-myeon told reporters in a press conference after the showcase in Seoul, Monday.
The showcase highlighted about a one-hour segment of the musical. Asked about the difference from previous similar musicals, such as "Waikiki Brothers" and "Dalgona", which are both based on retro hit songs, director Kim Jang-seop, said that the musical numbers were selected to fit in every situation of the musical's dramatic elements. .
The musical has 20 songs including the title song, "Really Really Like You" and "On A Night Like This" selected by music director Koo Chang-mo, who was a famous singer and former member of rock band Songgolmae in the 1980s.
Koo said that he has selected about 20 songs from 100 hit songs of that period. "This musical has a clear storyline and a hearty theme to reach to the audiences. The 70s-80s hit songs will create a powerful impact on the audience by being mixed with the whole storyline", Koo said.
Koo also said that through the solid storyline, the familiarity of the retro hits will be more appealing in that story because the musical has picked the most suitable songs for the plot.
Among the cast members, veteran actress Park Hae-mi captured the spotlight during the showcase.
"It was difficult to decide what to do this season because I was offered a new drama, `Cooking Up Romance' now airing on KBS. But I am happy with this musical because it is the best one I can do", Park said.
Park won enormous popularity in the TV soap opera "To Heaven" and then shot to stardom with the hit sitcom, "High Kick".
Park, taking a role of Shin Jang-mi, an English teacher, alternates the role with Lee Yoon-pyo. Park starred numerous musicals such as "Mamma Mia!" "I Do, I Do", and "Sweeney Todd".
Park Sang-myeon will play a high school baseball coach who falls in love with Shin. Park made his debut in 1993 with his first musical, "Guys and Dolls" and has worked in small-scaled plays and musicals over the past years while starring in numerous films and dramas.
The musical will open at Universal Art Center in Seoul on June 13 and will run until Aug. 3. Tickets cost from 40,000 to 90,000 won. For more information, call (02) 742-7251.
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US$5 off (order min. US$5)
