[Star Daily News=Reporter Jo Soo-hyun] The musical ‘The Man Who Laughs’ has unveiled its poster for the fourth season and its cast lineup that shines with a unique presence.
On the 15th, the production company EMK Musical Company (hereafter referred to as EMK) revealed the new main poster and the full cast lineup for the fourth season of the musical ‘The Man Who Laughs’. Known for causing an overwhelming box office syndrome by achieving the first Grand Slam in creative musicals, EMK is determined to present a work that exceeds audience expectations as they introduce ‘The Man Who Laughs’ as the first production to open 2025.
The original creative musical ‘The Man Who Laughs’ by EMK is based on the novel by the world-renowned author Victor Hugo, who described it as his greatest work. It creatively reconstructs the robust narrative of the great master in a musical format, opening new horizons for creative musicals. Set against the backdrop of 17th-century England, a period of severe social discrimination, the play critiques the state of social justice and humaneness through the life of Gwynplaine, who possesses a monstrous face but retains purity, highlighting the importance of human dignity and equality.
The newly unveiled poster for the fourth season of ‘The Man Who Laughs’ resembles a theater poster from a 17th-century wandering circus. The faded and torn poster, through the passage of time, features a vivid red logo symbolizing Gwynplaine’s torn mouth, capturing viewers’ attention at once while encompassing the historical background and identity of the play.
Premiering in 2018 after 5 years of production, ‘The Man Who Laughs’ exceeded 100,000 cumulative audience members within a month of opening, breaking unprecedented box office records with a 92% seat occupancy rate, earning critical acclaim as a masterpiece that symbolizes the present and future of Korean musicals. Notably, in its third season, it recorded awe-inspiring ticket sales, solidifying its status as a blockbuster hit.
Furthermore, the play has swept six awards at the ‘7th Yegreen Musical Awards’, three at the ‘3rd Korea Musical Awards’, won the Best Musical award at the ‘6th E-Daily Culture Awards’, and took the Grand Prize and Best Musical award at the ’14th Golden Ticket Awards’, achieving the first ‘Grand Slam’ by winning the Works Awards across four musical award ceremonies, proving it to be a masterpiece with both artistic and universal appeal.
The musical ‘The Man Who Laughs’ also set a new standard for the overseas market entry of Korean cultural content by successfully concluding performances in Japan from 2019 to 2022 under a license agreement with Japan’s top musical production company Toho Co., Ltd.
The musical ‘The Man Who Laughs’ has consistently been portrayed by top actors in Korea, creating iconic characters, raising expectations for the new faces in the musical’s return season. Profile photos using the actual stage set have been released, heightening anticipation for the start of 2025 with ‘The Man Who Laughs’.
The role of the sensual young man Gwynplaine, with an indelible laughing face, is performed by Park Eun-tae, Lee Seok-hoon, Kyuhyun, and Doyoung.
Park Eun-tae, who joined the cast as a new Gwynplaine in the 2022 third season, continues in the fourth season. Enriching his unique position with his sensitive acting and powerful singing, Park Eun-tae, a lead in major productions such as ‘Frankenstein’, ‘Elisabeth’, ‘Beethoven; Beethoven Secret’, and ‘Kinky Boots’, brings deep character interpretation to each performance, generating interest in how he will portray Gwynplaine a second time.
Lee Seok-hoon, who played Gwynplaine in the 2020 reprise, returns to the role. Known for his warm tone and exceptional musical interpretation, Lee Seok-hoon, who shines as a solo vocalist and a member of SG Wannabe, has solidified his standing as a musical actor with performances in ‘Marie Antoinette’, ‘Kinky Boots’, and ‘Gentleman’s Guide’. Audiences are eager to experience his matured performance as Gwynplaine once again.
Kyuhyun, who previously defined Gwynplaine as a life-changing character in the 2020 reprise, takes on the role again. With a sweet voice and the ability to convey the deep emotions of the character, Kyuhyun has further solidified his strengths in musicals such as ‘Frankenstein’, ‘Ben-Hur’, and ‘Phantom’. His return as Gwynplaine is expected to deliver a uniquely moving performance.
NCT’s Doyoung, who successfully debuted in musicals with ‘Marie Antoinette’ in 2021, meets audiences in ‘The Man Who Laughs’. Showcasing global popularity domestically and internationally and praised for his stable acting and singing in ‘Marie Antoinette’, Doyoung’s matured return is expected to establish his place as a musical actor with his portrayal of Gwynplaine.
The roles of ‘Ursus’, a cynic who despises people but sincerely cares for Gwynplaine and Dea, are cast with Seo Bum-seok and Min Young-ki.
Celebrating 30 years in musical theater, actor Seo Bum-seok meets audiences as Ursus in ‘The Man Who Laughs’. Having appeared in major productions like ‘Notre Dame de Paris’, ‘Death Note’, ‘Man of La Mancha’, ‘Seopyeonje’, ‘The Last Empress’, ‘Subway Line 1’, ‘Mozart!’, ‘The Winter Traveler’, and ‘The Count of Monte Cristo’, Seo Bum-seok’s deep internal performance for Ursus stirs curiosity.
Playing leads in numerous productions like ‘Rebecca’ and ‘Excalibur’, Min Young-ki showcases overwhelming singing and charismatic acting, returning for the fourth season having been on stage since the 2020 reprise and the 2022 third season of ‘The Man Who Laughs’. Bringing deep resonance through his diverse acting spectrum and powerful singing, Min Young-ki is set to thrill audiences once again.
The pure-hearted character ‘Dea’, who cannot see but perceives Gwynplaine with her soul, is played by Lee Soo-bin and Jang Hye-rin.
Returning to the ‘Dea’ role since the premiere, Lee Soo-bin, acclaimed for her delicate and strong performance, is back this season. Previously praised for her perfect portrayal of Dea, Lee Soo-bin, who honed her acting in musicals such as ‘Black Mary Poppins’, ‘Mamma Mia’, ‘Showman: The Fourth Substitute of a Dictator’, and dramas ‘King the Land’, ‘DNA Lover’, is expected to deliver an even more mature performance.
Jang Hye-rin, who left a strong impression with her debut in last year’s musical ‘Ben-Hur’, challenges the role of ‘Dea’. Despite it being her debut stage, her excellent vocal and detailed acting received praise, and she continued to step forward as a musical actress playing Rosalie La Moriel in ‘The Rose of Versailles’. Anticipation grows for Jang Hye-rin’s depiction of Dea, who is experiencing a dazzling rise.
The role of ‘Josiana’, a captivating woman who is the queen’s half-sister and a wealthy noble but holds emptiness inside, is shared by Kim So-hyang and Lisa.
Kim So-hyang, who premiered the enticing ‘Josiana’ role in the 2020 reprise and 2022 third season, returns for the fourth season. Proficient in large and mid-sized theaters through musicals ‘Marie Antoinette’, ‘Frida’, ‘Benjamin Button’, and ‘Lizzie’, Kim So-hyang left a deep impression as Josiana with her dramatic emotional portrayal between love and ambition in previous seasons, raising expectations for her creating another unique performance.
Lisa, both a singer and musical actress, joins ‘The Man Who Laughs’ as a new cast. Meeting audiences as the new ‘Josiana’, Lisa, known for her unique presence in acclaimed productions like ‘The Rose of Versailles’, ‘Frida’, ‘Rebecca’, and ‘Marie Curie’, arouses curiosity with her explosive singing and detailed acting that touches hearts.
Additionally, Park Si-won and Kang Tae-eul are cast as David, an ambitious man aspiring for social ascension through marriage to Josiana, and Moon Sung-hyuk passionately plays the deceitful servant Pedro filled with hatred and jealousy. The roles of self-interested Queen Ann are played by Kim Young-ju and Kim Ji-sun.
Meanwhile, the musical ‘The Man Who Laughs’ opens at the Seoul Arts Center Opera Theater on January 9.
