TVXQ's Max Changmin to star in musical 'Benjamin Button'

Poster of the upcoming new musical ″Benjamin Button″ [EMK MUSICAL COMPANY]

Local musical production company EMK unveiled casting for its upcoming new musical "Benjamin Button" on Monday.

Based on the 1922 short story "The Curious Case of Benjamin Button" by F. Scott Fitzgerald, the musical follows the emotional journey of a backward aging man.

TVXQ's Max Changmin, Kim Jae-beom and Kim Seong-sik will alternate in the lead Benjamin role. It is Max Changmin's first time starring in a musical.

Actors Kim So-hyang, Park Eun-mi and Lee Areum Soul will play the supporting role of a jazz club singer.

The musical was selected for CJ Cultural Foundation's funding initiative Stage Up in 2021. It was written and directed by Jo Kwang-hwa, best known for writing the lyrics for the Korean pansori musical "Seopyeonjae" and directing the new musical "Werther."

The upcoming production of “Benjamin Button” will be its first.

"Benjamin Button" is set to open on May 11 at the Sejong Center for the Performing Arts and play through June 30.

BY LEE JIAN [lee.jian@joongang.co.kr]