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| Han Jae-ah, left, as Sandy and Kim Tae-oh as Danny in a scene from the 2019 production of 'Grease' at D-Cube Arts Center / Courtesy of OD Company |
By Kwon Mee-yoo
"Grease" is a 1971 hit musical set in the 1950s, with widely known songs such as "Summer Nights" and "Beauty School Dropout."
The show returns to the Korean stage after six years with a renewed look, using up-to-date LED screens and flashy 3D holographic backdrops, but it could not overcome the old-fashioned gender stereotypes.
The Jim Jacobs-Warren Casey musical is set in Rydell High School and revolves around 10 high school students' love, friendship and politics through rock 'n' roll music. The show was adapted into a film of the same name starring John Travolta in 1978, and became world famous.
"Grease" was a big hit in Korea as well. The show, premiered for the stage in Korea in 2003, has been performed over 2,500 times in 26 different productions. However, it has been on hiatus for a while after the last production in 2013.
"I wanted to renew this great musical comedy with the young energy of today, along with the new-tro trend," the show's Korean producer Shin Chun-soo said. "New-tro," or new retro, is a rising trend in Korea, as people reminisce about the good old times and the younger generation pursues a fascination with the past.
Producer Shin and new director Kim Jung-han, also known as Yossef K, tried to breathe new life into the old show, but the out-of-date lines portraying female characters as passive remain. "Despite the period we describe, we tried to focus on each character more deeply, leading to a message that we should live in the present moment," Shin said.
Jeong Se-woon, the singer-songwriter who gained popularity in the third season of "K-pop Star" joined this production as male lead Danny Zuko. The 21-year-old singer makes his stage debut in "Grease," a show created long before he was born.
"Though the time is different, teens in the 1950s still worry about their uncertain future and grow up by communicating with peers. It is not much different from my time," Jeong said.
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| A scene from the 2019 production of 'Grease' at D-Cube Arts Center / Courtesy of OD Company |
Musical meets K-pop
Shin also experimented on a collaborative project combining musical theater and K-pop in two "popsical" groups, consisting of select members from the current cast of "Grease."
Shin produced two K-pop groups ― girl band Pink Lady and boy group T-Bird ― and they released the singles "God Girl" and "Rock Star," respectively, ahead of the musical's opening in early spring.
Though they didn't win any awards from music ranking shows or top charts, both Pink Lady and T-Bird received favorable reviews as their retro style differentiated them from mainstream K-pop trends.
"The broadcasting industry responded positively to Pink Lady and T-Bird, but it is difficult for them to continue their K-pop act because their main business is on the musical stage. And it certainly takes time to be recognized in the K-pop scene," Shin said. "However, I believe they showed off their talents as musical actors in K-pop music."
Still, it is difficult to sell tickets for performances with these lesser-known actors despite their exposure in the K-pop industry.
"Korean audiences prefer well-known shows and established actors. Though Pink Lady and T-Bird gained a little name value and popularity, it did not lead to a big boost in ticket sales of Grease," Shin said.
The producer believes it is important to provide stages for young, aspiring and not-yet-established actors. Indeed, four actors among the cast make their debut in the 2019 "Grease."
"Grease is the perfect place for young actors to debut and grow up. This production is going to provide a group of fresh faces for the theater industry," Shin said.
