The popular webtoon “Itaewon Class” by Cho Kwang-jin is set to become the world’s first musical adaptation. The musical will kick off in June at Tokyo Tatemono Brillia Hall, followed by a tour starting in July.
The lead role of Park Saeroyi will be played by WEST.’s Nozomu Kotaki, whose singing and acting skills have been highly praised in musicals such as The Beautiful Game and Death Takes a Holiday.
Kotaki recently participated in a photoshoot in Itaewon, the story’s setting, to capture the atmosphere of Saeroyi’s world. He met with the original creator, Cho Kwang-jin, at “Danbam,” a restaurant owned by Cho in Itaewon’s lively downtown area. The two shared a warm and respectful conversation, vowing the success of the stage production.
The musical brings together a talented group of creators, including:
- Script: Riko Sakaguchi (Your Lie in April, The Tale of the Princess Kaguya)
- Lyrics and composition: Lee Hee-joon (prominent figure in South Korea’s musical scene)
- Music: Helen Park (Korean-American composer based in New York, winner of the Richard Rodgers Award and nominee for a Tony Award)
- Direction: Yuna Koyama (recipient of the Yomiuri Theater Awards’ Best Director Award)
The Story
The story follows high schooler Park Saeroyi, who punches his classmate Jang Geun-won after witnessing him bullying others. This event sets off a chain reaction that leads to Saeroyi’s expulsion from school and his father’s job loss. Tragedy strikes when Saeroyi’s father is killed in an accident caused by Geun-won. Seeking revenge, Saeroyi uses violence against Geun-won and ends up in prison.
Seven years after his release, Saeroyi saves money and opens a restaurant in Itaewon to honor his father and seek justice. Alongside him are Jo Yi-seo, a genius sociopath drawn to Saeroyi; Ma Hyun-yi and Choi Seung-kwon, whose lives Saeroyi has changed; and Geun-soo, Geun-won’s brother, who has feelings for Yi-seo.
Comments from Nozomu Kotaki
Kotaki shared his thoughts on playing the lead role: “This is a globally recognized work, so when I first received the offer, I thought, โTheyโre joking, right? A role this big for me?โ But when it became official, I happily accepted, saying, โIf itโs me, Iโd love to do it!โ“
Kotaki also mentioned that he cut his hair to replicate Park Saeroyi’s iconic hairstyle and felt like he discovered a new side of himself during the photoshoot in Seoul.
“The relationships with Yi-seo and Soo-ah, the journey of vengeance intertwined with finding loveโitโs a truly thrilling and gripping story. Iโve read the original webtoon multiple times, delving into the charactersโ deepest emotions. I want to faithfully bring the essence of Cho Kwang-jinโs work to life through my performance,” he continued. “Saeroyi doesnโt speak much, but every word carries great weight, making him someone people naturally want to follow. He treasures and trusts the companions he works with, and I believe building trust with my co-actors is equally important.
Within the limited space of the stage, Iโll pour my heart into every scene to create a work that makes audiences think, โI want to see this again.โโ
Kwang-jin commented, “Kotaki is well-known in Korea and has many fans, so I was already familiar with him.” He admitted, “Since heโs so handsome, I was a bit worried if he would fit the character (laughs), but when I met him in person, I felt his masculinity and thought, โHeโs perfect!โ Iโm confident now.“
The phenomenon Itaewon Class is now being adapted into the world’s first musical based on the original work by Kwang-jin. With its stellar lineup of creative talent and Nozomu Kotaki playing the lead role, this ambitious project promises to bring a fresh perspective on this globally popular tale.