[MUSICAL REVIEW]'Rent': All about Cho Seung-woo
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The Korean version of the Broadway musical "Rent" opened for a two-month run early this week.
The show, originally composed by Jonathan Larson, is, however, boring and stuffy. There are too many characters - a total of 16 - all on a small stage at a Daehangno theater, shouting out their lines so quickly that you have no idea what they are really talking about.
The storyline was carelessly compiled and disordered, while the production team provided little scenic variation. There was also not enough space on stage to express the energy of youngsters living in New York.
Despite its negatives, however, the musical has been successful with young audiences screaming during and after the show due to Cho Seung-woo's explosive and passionate performance.
"I think I am quite enjoying performing in the musical", Cho Seung-woo says.
The show relied heavily on Jo's fame, highlighting his role throughout its two hour and 15 minute run. Simply the fact that Jo, a versatile actor and an iconic star of the country's entertainment industry, returned to the stage, was enough to drive audiences crazy.
Jo didn't disappoint his audiences, even revealing a little about himself through his portrayal of the most likable character he has ever taken on in his acting career.
Jo plays Roger, a musician desperate to write one great song before AIDS kills him.
The 27-year-old actor was charismatic and natural, as if he felt no pressures from acting.
"To be honest, I think I am quite enjoying performing in the musical", Jo said.
Jo has dominated local musical stages as a lead performer in "Jekyll and Hyde" and with his role as a transsexual rock singer in "Hedwig". He also won the Best Leading Actor award last year at the 10th annual Korea Musical Awards for "Jekyll".
Jo's casting in the musical set a new record late last year when tickets were sold out in less than half an hour. Jo appeared to have put a lot of effort into fully learning about his character in preparation for the show, rather than depending on his fame alone.
"I felt a lot of pressure ... it is really hard to express how overwhelmed I was by the news that tickets were sold out even before I started practicing my part and songs. So I went in the studio early (in the morning) and practiced really hard", said Jo.
"Rent" runs through March 4 at the Seensee Musical Theater in Daehangno, downtown Seoul. Tickets are 35,000 won and 40,000 won.
For more information, visit http://www.iseensee.com
By Cho Chung-un
The show, originally composed by Jonathan Larson, is, however, boring and stuffy. There are too many characters - a total of 16 - all on a small stage at a Daehangno theater, shouting out their lines so quickly that you have no idea what they are really talking about.
The storyline was carelessly compiled and disordered, while the production team provided little scenic variation. There was also not enough space on stage to express the energy of youngsters living in New York.
Despite its negatives, however, the musical has been successful with young audiences screaming during and after the show due to Cho Seung-woo's explosive and passionate performance.
"I think I am quite enjoying performing in the musical", Cho Seung-woo says.
The show relied heavily on Jo's fame, highlighting his role throughout its two hour and 15 minute run. Simply the fact that Jo, a versatile actor and an iconic star of the country's entertainment industry, returned to the stage, was enough to drive audiences crazy.
Jo didn't disappoint his audiences, even revealing a little about himself through his portrayal of the most likable character he has ever taken on in his acting career.
Jo plays Roger, a musician desperate to write one great song before AIDS kills him.
The 27-year-old actor was charismatic and natural, as if he felt no pressures from acting.
"To be honest, I think I am quite enjoying performing in the musical", Jo said.
Jo has dominated local musical stages as a lead performer in "Jekyll and Hyde" and with his role as a transsexual rock singer in "Hedwig". He also won the Best Leading Actor award last year at the 10th annual Korea Musical Awards for "Jekyll".
Jo's casting in the musical set a new record late last year when tickets were sold out in less than half an hour. Jo appeared to have put a lot of effort into fully learning about his character in preparation for the show, rather than depending on his fame alone.
"I felt a lot of pressure ... it is really hard to express how overwhelmed I was by the news that tickets were sold out even before I started practicing my part and songs. So I went in the studio early (in the morning) and practiced really hard", said Jo.
"Rent" runs through March 4 at the Seensee Musical Theater in Daehangno, downtown Seoul. Tickets are 35,000 won and 40,000 won.
For more information, visit http://www.iseensee.com
By Cho Chung-un
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