SHINee Onew is quite the rock star in "Rock of Ages"

From left, SHINee member Onew and female singer Dana perform a scene from musical "Rock of Ages" during its press call held at the Olympic Park in Seoul, South Korea on September 16, 2010. [Lee Jin-hyuk/10Asia]

"Rock of Ages," a jukebox musical being introduced in Korea for the first time, gathered attention for its casting of boy band SHINee member Onew as an aspiring rock star. While jukebox musicals "Mamma Mia!" and "All Shook Up," both hits in Korea, created new stories through the songs of established musicians such as ABBA and Elvis Presley, "Rock of Ages" takes rock music as the main character. The appearance of rock music such as "I Wanna Rock" and "We're Not Gonna Take It" which swept an era, is a given. Then there is the love triangle between aspiring rock star Drew, aspiring actress Sherrie from the countryside, and rock star Stacee who is beyond his prime, as well as the struggle to protect rock club "The Bourbon" which was the core of the L.A. metal scene in real life. It is practically made up of rock from start to finish. Hence, Korean veteran rock bands Boohwal and Novasonic have been assigned Stacey's band members and are the ones in charge of the live performance for "Rock of Ages." When sound that rings their hearts are created, the use of multivision which creates the effect of one watching a video of a performance and special effects usually used in concerts, closes the distance between the stage and the audience.

With an atmosphere resembling that of an actual rock concert having been created, all that is left now is how well the actors do with the well-set table before them. That is why "Rock of Ages" has tutors planted in various aspects. Paying attention to the fact that many musical actors are weak when it comes to rock singing, Shin Sung-woo playing the role of Stacee, has volunteered to be the vocal trainer and actual rock band TRAX members Jay and Burette's Moon Hye-won, cast as the members of Drew and Sherrie, respectively, plan to lead on the musical also starring Ahn Jae-wook, Onew, Dana and Sunday. Onew, starring in his second-ever musical, raised the anticipation by taking on quite the appearance of a rock star through the overall vibe and will he gave off. Musical "Rock of Ages" will run from September 15 to October 30.

Reporter : Jang Kyung-jin three@
Photographer: Lee Jin-hyuk
Editor : Jessica Kim jesskim@