Get ready for an exciting twist on a beloved story! Kakao Entertainment is bringing the hit webtoon Itaewon Class to life as a musical, with its world premiere set to take place in Japan this June at Tokyo’s Brillia Hall.

After captivating audiences through a Korean drama, a Japanese drama, and even an HBO adaptation in Taiwan, Itaewon Class is now ready for its next big leap—on stage as a musical! This new adaptation will star popular Japanese actor and singer Kotaki Nozomu, a member of the idol group WEST. Nozomu will take on the role of Park Sae-ro-yi, a character known for his strong principles and belief in justice.

The original webtoon Itaewon Class, written by Gwangjin and serialized from 2016 to 2020, has already amassed over 430 million views in Korea by January 2025. It tells the story of Park Sae-ro-yi, a young man who faces immense challenges but never strays from his moral compass. The musical adaptation will see a team of talented creators from Korea, Japan, and the U.S. join forces to bring this iconic story to life.

Notable names behind the musical include Lee Hee-jun, known for his work on Darwin’s Origin of Evil, as the lyricist and composer. Rico Sakaguchi, famed for her work on The Tale of the Princess Kaguya, is responsible for the script, while music will be composed by Helen Park, the first Asian woman to be nominated for a Tony Award for Best Composer. The director is Yuuna Koyama, who won Best Director at the Yomiuri Theater Awards.

Kotaki Nozomu, who’s getting into character by cutting his hair to match Park Sae-ro-yi’s iconic look, has fans already buzzing with excitement. Webtoon creator Gwangjin shared his thoughts on the musical, saying, "I’m so happy to hear that Itaewon Class is becoming a musical. I’m confident Kotaki Nozomu will be a great fit for Park Sae-ro-yi, bringing both his serious justice and gentle side to the stage."

This highly-anticipated musical promises to offer a fresh take on the familiar story, blending drama, music, and unforgettable performances. It’s an event fans of Itaewon Class won’t want to miss!

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Kim Jae Joong couldn’t hold back his tears as he experienced an emotional moment with his father.

On April 4, the KBS 2TV show "New Menu Launching: Pyeon Restaurant" aired a heartwarming episode where Kim Jae Joong, the youngest of nine siblings, threw a special celebration for his parents’ 60th wedding anniversary.

The star took charge of everything—planning, organizing, and hosting the event—as a grand gesture to show his gratitude for everything his parents had done for him and his siblings.

Kim Jae Joong rented a luxurious banquet hall at a five-star hotel for the celebration. He made sure to select food that would please all of his family, including his parents and siblings.

With his large family in attendance, the venue was filled with love and joy. Kim Jae Joong’s nine siblings all bowed deeply to thank their parents for raising them, showing immense respect and love.

As his father saw all of his children gathered in one place, he couldn’t help but express his pride, saying, “Are all these really my children?” But his emotions quickly took a turn as he shared his feelings of regret. “I feel sorry that I couldn’t do better for you, I’m sorry I couldn’t do as much as others did. But I’m so thankful that you all grew up so well,” he said, with tears starting to form in his eyes.

It was the first time Kim Jae Joong had seen his father cry. Overcome with emotion, he said, “I know my father’s life very well, so I couldn’t help but cry too.” The entire family shared in the tears, shouting, “We love you, Dad,” creating an unforgettable moment that moved everyone to tears.

The touching episode aired on April 4 at 8:30 PM, showing viewers the deep love and gratitude Kim Jae Joong and his siblings have for their parents.

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