Musical 'Mozart' Returns with Four Unique Charms of Four People

7th Season Since Domestic Premiere in 2010

"Preparing for this season was not easy. Over the past decade, many actors have played 'Mozart,' but this time, all have been replaced, and four new cast members have been selected. We worked hard to find each one's unique charm."

As Kim Moon-jung, the music director who has been involved in the musical 'Mozart' since 2011, the year after its domestic premiere, said, the role of Mozart in the 7th season of 'Mozart' has been cast entirely with new faces. At the press call held on the 20th at the Sejong Center for the Performing Arts Grand Theater in Jongno-gu, Seoul, Suho from the group EXO, Yoo Hwe-seung from the group N.Flying, and singer Kim Hee-jae took the stage as Wolfgang Mozart. Actor Lee Hae-jun, who was also cast in the role, was absent due to health issues.

On the afternoon of the 20th, the cast performed a part of the musical 'Mozart!' at the press call held at the Sejong Center Grand Theater in Jongno-gu, Seoul.
[Photo by Yonhap News]

Mozart is a character praised as a prodigy from a young age but, as an adult, struggles to endure the rigid class society that confines him and comes into conflict with his employer, Archbishop Colloredo. Over the past decade, talented actors such as Kim Junsu, Park Eun-tae, Jeon Dong-seok, and Park Kang-hyun have portrayed Mozart, expressing the gap between his innate genius musicality and reality. However, most of the lead actors this season have limited musical experience, which raised concerns. Director Kim also confessed that she initially had doubts about Kim Hee-jae, who was taking on his first musical challenge. However, "I was surprised at the first rehearsal. He had prepared thoroughly. Perhaps because of his open sensibility, he learned the fastest," she said, adding, "His acting was so good that it was hard to believe it was his first time, and the director and I praised him a lot." Kim Hee-jae, who gained fame through the TV program 'Tomorrow's Mr. Trot,' is making his musical debut with this production.

Director Kim also spoke about Yoo Hwe-seung, saying, "I was very impressed by how he infused music with acting. He handles powerful high notes well, and I watch him with satisfaction." Regarding Suho, she said, "This is the fourth production we are working on together, and he seems to have more affection for the work than ever before. He asks many questions and puts his heart and soul into it."

On the afternoon of the 20th, the cast performed a part of the musical 'Mozart!' at the press call held at the Sejong Center for the Performing Arts Grand Theater in Jongno-gu, Seoul.
[Photo by Yonhap News]

The actors openly expressed their affection for the role of Mozart. Kim Hee-jae said, "I can't compare myself, but I was also called a prodigy when I was young. I used to dance whenever music played since I was a child," adding, "Mozart processes every situation through music, and I think the way he loves and enjoys music is similar to me."

Yoo Hwe-seung said, "As an artist who immerses himself in the work and music, I found many relatable aspects in Mozart's life story," and added, "I was curious about what Mozart's actual life was like and enjoyed rehearsing."

On the afternoon of the 20th, the cast performed a part of the musical "Mozart!" at the press call held at the Sejong Center Grand Theater in Jongno-gu, Seoul.
[Photo by Yonhap News]

Director Kwon Eun-ah said it was fortunate that the four actors are playing Mozart for the first time. Having adapted works such as 'Excalibur' and 'Mata Hari,' she said, "'Mozart' exists in many versions, so this project was not easy. I decided to tell the story I wanted in my own style and way," adding, "In that sense, it helped that all four actors were new to the role. Starting from a blank slate together brought fresh and new inspiration."

Other roles are shared by actors from previous seasons and new faces. Mozart's sister, Nannerl Mozart, is played by Jeon Soo-mi, Kim So-hyang, and Bae Da-hae, while Mozart's free-spirited wife, Constanze Weber, is portrayed by Seon Min, Heo Hye-jin, and Hwang Woo-rim. Mozart's father, Leopold Mozart, is played by Seo Beom-seok and Hong Kyung-soo, and the patron Baroness Waldst?tten is portrayed by Choi Ji-i and Yoon Ji-in.

The performance runs until August 22 on the stage of the Sejong Center for the Performing Arts Grand Theater in Seoul.

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.