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| The stage adaptation of the bestselling novel, "Kim Ji-young: Born 1982," has announced its casting lineup. Courtesy of Spotlight |
By Kwak Yeon-soo
Cho Nam-ju's bestselling novel, "Kim Ji-young: Born 1982," will get its first stage adaptation in September.
Upon its publication in 2016, the book sold more than a million copies in Korea. The publishing rights have been sold to 30 countries, including the U.S., Japan, France and Spain. The story was also adapted into a film of the same title in 2019 that sold over 3.67 million tickets.
Adapted by Kim Ga-ram, who previously wrote the musical, "Aranga," "Kim Ji-young, Born 1982," tells the story of an ordinary woman in her mid-30s who is on a career break and slowly loses her identity through being someone's wife, a daughter-in-law and a mother. It will be directed by Ahn Kyung-mo, known for helming the Korean version of the Pulitzer-winning "SWEAT."
The show stars So Yu-jin, Im Hye-young and Park Ran-ju as Ji-young. Since her debut in 2000 in SBS drama "Duk-hee," So has performed in a plethora of theater productions, TV series and films. Last year, she starred in "King Lear" as Goneril.
Im has been active in the musical theater scene, appearing in "Rebecca" and "A Gentleman's Guide to Love and Murder," while Park has starred in the musicals, "Barnum: The Greatest Showman" and "Four Minutes."
Seasoned musical actors Kim Seung-dae and Kim Dong-ho have been cast to play Ji-young's husband, Dae-hyun.
"The original novel drew readers deeper into sympathy for Ji-young, as it examined the plight of women by employing statistical data. Meanwhile, the film adaptation offered a new perspective, putting greater emphasis on her husband taking paternity leave. Likewise, we plan to offer something different in the play," the show's creative producer, Jeong You-rhan, said in a statement.
"In collaboration with the best cast and crew, we would like to give theater audiences a chance to reflect on things they take for granted," said Kim Min-seok, the head of theater production company Spotlight.
"Kim Ji-young: Born 1982" will be performed at Baekam Art Hall in Seoul from Sept. 1 to Nov. 13.
