After captivating audiences on screen with engaging storylines and talented performers, several popular Korean dramas have inspired stage musical adaptations in Korea and Japan. Check out these popular Korean dramas reimagined as musical adaptations.
7 Hit Korean Dramas Turned into Musical Adaptations
1. “Boys Over Flower” (“꽃보다 남자”)
The Korean drama “Boys Over Flowers” is a live adaptation of Yoko Kami’s popular manga.
Starring Gu Hye Seon, Lee Min Ho, Kim Hyun Joong, Kim Bum, and Kim Joon, the story follows Geum Jan Di, a girl from a low-income family who receives a scholarship to study at the exclusive Shinhwa High School. She clashes with the F4, a group of wealthy heirs at her new school. Despite being bullied, she remains resilient. Her personality catches the group’s attention, especially the leader, Gu Jun Pyo.
Premiered in Tokyo, Fukuoka, Nagoya, and Osaka from January 15 until February 14, 2016, this play shows impressive teamwork between Yumi Sukuzi (director), Go Aoki (script), and Akimitsu Honma (composer). The Japanese musical adaptation features Jin Shirasu, Mackenyu Arata, Ririka Kato, Ryuji Kamiyama, and Yuya Matsushita.
Meanwhile, the Korean musical version of “Boys Over Flowers” premiered on February 24, 2017, at the Hongik Daehangno Art Center in Seoul, with director Yumi Sukuzi returning to the director’s chair. The Korean musical “By Over Flowers” stars Lee Chang Sub, Ken, Kim Ji Hui, Lee Sung Min, Jeong Hui, Kim Tae Oh, J-Min, Min, Lee Woo Jong, Kim Tae Gyu, Jang Ji Hoo, Sun Han Guk, and more. They performed eighty-eight times until May 7, 2017.
2. “Dream High” (“드림하이”)
The youth musical K-drama “Dream High” aired on KBS in 2011. The story follows six students facing challenges chasing their dreams of becoming K-pop stars. The musical drama is led by Taecyeon, IU, Jang Woo Young, Han Eun Jung, and Kim Soo Hyun.
The “Dream High” musical play was performed for the first time on May 13, 2023, in Seoul.
This year, the “Dream High” musical play is available from April 5 to June 1 at the Olympic Park Woori Financial Art Hall. It features popular idol actors like Kim Dong Jun, ASTRO Jinjin, GOT7 Youngjae, Infinity Jang Dong Woo, Block B Yo Won, Golden Child Kim Dong Hyun, and more.
3. “The Moon That Embraces the Sun” (“해를 품은 달”)
“The Moon That Embraces the Sun” is a K-drama based on Jung Eun Gwol’s best-selling novel. The historical drama gained its musical adaptation in June 2013. The play features Kyuhyun (Super Junior), Seohyun (Girls’ Generation), Lina (former Star), and other talented idol actors.
The play earned praise from the audience for its stunning performance and nine different nominations at the 2013 Korea Musical Awards.
4. “Crash Landing on You” (“사랑의 불시착”)
The 2016 global hit series “Crash Landing on You” got its musical adaptation in September 2022. It features Lee Jang Woo, WJSN Yeonjung, Lee Yi Kyung, and other talented actors and singers.
Originally starring Hyun Bin, Son Ye Jin, Seo Ji Hye, and Kim Jung Hyun, the drama follows the love story of Yoon Se Ri and Ri Jung Hyuk. A wealthy South Korean woman and an elite North Korean officer encounter and get involved in a unique and risky love journey.
5. “Another Miss Oh” (“또! 오해영”)
The 2016 Korean drama “Another Miss Oh,” starring Eric Mun, Seo Hyun Jin, and Jeon Hye Bin, also got a musical remake. It tells the story of two women with the same name but opposite personalities and a man who can suddenly see the future.
The musical play “Another Miss Oh,” which premiered in March 2020, features Moon Jin Ah, Shin Eui Jung, Yoo Joo Hye, Son Ho Young (g.o.d), Seungho (MBLAQ), Kim Ji On, Sandara Park, and Hyoeun (former member of Stellar).
6. “Itaewon Class” (“이태원 클라쓰”)
First released in 2020, the popular Korean drama “Itaewon Class” is adapted from Jo Gwang Jin’s popular webtoon of the same name. It features an impressive cast like Park Seo Joon, Kim Da Mi, Kwon Na Ra, Yoo Jae Myung, Ahn Bo Hyun, Kim Dong Hee, Lee Joo Young, and Ry Kyung Soo.
The story follows Park Sae Ro Yi, a young man who seeks revenge on the powerful Jang family. He builds his small pub, “DamBam,” from scratch with the help of his multicultural staff and fights against the cruel and greedy Jangga Co.
Following the Japanese remake in 2022, it will have a musical adaptation in Japan. Japanese actor and singer Kotaki Nozomu will portray Park Sae Ro Yi in the musical adaptation.
7. “Vincenzo” (“빈센조”)
“Vincenzo” is the latest Korean drama that received a musical adaptation. The popular 2021 Korean legal comedy crime drama stars Song Joong Ki, Jeon Yeo Been, and Ok Taec Yeon.
The story follows Vincenzo Cassano, a ruthless Korean-Italian mafia advisor. He teams up with a sharp-tongued lawyer, Hong Cha Young, to bring down the corrupt Babel Group.
The hit drama was adapted into a Japanese musical in 2023 with Japanese actor Masanari Wada starring as Vincenzo Cassano. Meanwhile, J-idol member Hinatazaka46 and actor Suzuka Tomita play veteran lawyer Hong Cha Young.
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