The musical "Great Janggeum", a stage version of hit MBC drama "Dae Jang Geum", has been upgraded after its initial release received cold responses from critics three months ago.
Song Seung-hwan, co-chairman of PMC Production, said yesterday that the flow of the musical has been changed and some songs have been rewritten to dramatize the love story between its two main characters, Janggeum and Min Jung-ho. The upgraded version is scheduled to hit the stage Aug. 25 at the Sejong Center for Performing Arts. The show will run through Sept. 9.
"Although we didn't have much time to wholly upgrade the musical, we tried to intensify the storytelling by highlighting conflicts among the characters rather than visualizing each episode already introduced on the TV series", said Song during a luncheon meeting with reporters in Seoul.
The actor-turned-producer also said he decided to reduce ticket prices from 150,000 won ($159) to 120,000 won.
The musical adaptation of the TV period-drama has drawn attention from the media since last year, raising speculation as to whether the musical would be as successful as the drama. The TV drama "Dae Jang Geum" was phenomenally successful in 2003, with its viewers' rating soaring above 50 percent. The 54-episode drama also made a huge contribution to the spreading of Hallyu, or Korean Wave, as it was exported to over 50 countries.
However, the musical version drew widespread criticism in May, with critics saying it missed the nuts and bolts that link the story chunks in the original.
Admitting trouble making profits, Song said he hopes now to turn out profits by putting it on international stages after its performances in Seoul.
Earlier this month, PMC signed a $147,000 contract with Japan's Shochiku, which allows the Japanese production company to use the contents and music of the musical "Great Janggeum". It also plans to bring the musical to major cities in China next year.
The musical production follows the same storyline as the drama, portraying a woman who serves at a palace cook for the royal family during the Joseon Dynasty. Although Janggeum faces difficulties as a woman from a low class, she overcomes her hardships with courage.
MBC and PMC Production, creators of the nonverbal performance "Nanta", poured 6 billion won into the homegrown musical production.
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