Baeksang names the 60 powerhouses of Korean musical theater
A new Baeksang-Broadway era list honors the actors, creators and productions that shaped 60 years of Korean musical theater.
Published
Modified
To mark 60 years of Korean musical theater, the Baeksang Arts Awards and the Korea Musical Theatre Association named the 60 figures and productions that defined Korean musical history. The list, announced Monday — titled the Powerhouse 60 — features 20 actors, 20 creators and 20 productions spanning six decades.
Baeksang newly added a musical category to its television, film and theater awards this year at its 62nd ceremony, which was held on May 8.
The musical "Maybe Happy Ending" (2016), a near-future robot romance that won six Tony Awards last year, is notably included in the list, alongside "The Last Empress" (1995), which in 1997 became the first Korean musical to reach Broadway.
The 20 honored productions also include homegrown hits such as "Hero" (2009) "Frankenstein" (2014) "The Man Who Laughs" (2018) and "Fan Letter" (2016). "Sweet, Come to Me Stealthily" (1966), Korea's first original musical, also made the list.
The actors chosen include musical pioneers like Yoon Bock Hee — also known as a legendary singer — and late actor Yun Seok-hwa, best known for her leading role in "The Last Empress."
Other renowned actors include Cho Seung-woo, Kim Jun-su — also known by his stage name XIA — and Ok Joo-hyun, who debuted as a member of the girl group Fin.KL.
A 20-member panel of producers, academics and critics chose the list, which the organizers describe as a snapshot of the past 60 years of Korean musical theater.
BY CHO YONG-JUN [cho.yongjun1@joongang.co.kr]
