Thirty. Long before computers and the digital age, that number -- at the foot of a wire-service story -- indicated the conclusion of an article.
In present-day Korea, to many people, that number signifies the deadline for marriage.
For anyone who is feeling down about singledom after 30, musical "Singles", currently playing at the HOAM Art Hall, proves to be an effective escape from the constant pressure to shed bachelor or spinster status.
Based on the 2003 film of the same name -- which featured Jang Jin-yeong and Uhm Jung-hwa -- and "Christmas at Twenty-nine", the original novel by Japanese novelist Kamata Toshio, the musical is derived directly from its two predecessors, adapted by producer Cho Hang-duck.
Revolving around the lives of three best friends -- Nanan (Kim Ji-woo), Dong-mi (Park Hye-na) and Jung-joon (played by both Min Yeong-ki and Lee Geon-yeong) -- as they balance their careers and love lives during their 20s.
Musical numbers are set between Dong-mi's frequent encounters with men, Jung-joon's foolish attachment towards an adolescent girl and Nanan's career change. For those familiar with the movie -- which developed a cult following -- the musical deviates very little from it, going word-for-word on much of the dialog. There is very little originality in the performance, awkward silences disrupt the performance from time to time, and the musical numbers aren't great, but Kim's singing shines above all others.
Even though the ladies' performance takes center stage, the musical has gained most of its publicity for the casting of actor Lee Jeong-hyuk, who appeared in films such as "Radio Dayz" and "Miss Gold Digger", and Son Ho-young, former member of boy band g.o.d., together splitting time as Soo-hyun. That double-casting creates an interesting situation for Kim, who acts opposite the two celebrities as the love interest.
"Their personalities are so different, and it's great for me that I get to act alongside a different actor every day", Kim said during the press event for the musical. "Even during practice, though they have the same part, it feels like I'm working with a different character every day. I learned quite a bit during that process".
Though Kim wouldn't disclose who she preferred to act alongside, she noted a distinct difference in their acting styles.
"There's a scene where I step on his foot and walk away, and he attempts to hold my hand", Kim said. "While Son Ho-young tries to drag me in smoothly, Lee Jong-hyuk abruptly tugs at me".
Even though the Soo-hyun role plays second fiddle -- fourth fiddle, even -- to the other actors on stage, Lee Jong-hyuk and Son's stage presence outshines their colleagues. There is a disproportionately large audience response during their musical numbers. They, along with several other members of the cast, step down from the stage to get the audience involved - something impossible in either the story's book or film incarnations.
But the message of the musical is positive and in line with that of its predecessors, as it ends with all four characters moving on with their single lives. Though all the characters begin the story waiting for the right person to come along and change their lives, it ends with the realization that each must be able to stand strong as an individual before coupling up.
"A new life starts when you get married, and so I think the moral of the story is that you have to throw away that mindset you had when you were single", Lee Jong-hyuk said.
"Singles" offers an interesting pre-Valentines perspective on relationships, and even if a life-altering event isn't what you're in the market for, plenty of entertainment is provided by Son, Lee Jong-hyuk and the rest of the cast.
The musical runs Tuesdays to Fridays at 8 p.m., Saturdays at 3 p.m. and 7 p.m., and Sundays at 2 p.m. and 6 p.m. through Feb. 24 at HOAM Art Center (City Hall Station, Exit 9). For special Lunar New Year performance schedules, ticketing and more information, call 1577-5266 or visit Open the link
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