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Retro Musical Boom Hits Stage

By Chung Ah-young
Staff Reporter

Bell-bottomed trousers, a nickel silverware lunchbox, roller-skating rink, black school uniform and disco music might remind you of the 1970s and 80s.

A retro boom that began last year on stage is expected to continue this year, attracting an older generation.

Musicals such as "Really Really Like You", "Go! Waikiki" and "Midnight Serenade", set in the 1970s and 80s, are hitting the stage.

The musicals and their memorable hit songs from the era resonate on stage, along with retro dance moves and fashion items, arousing nostalgia.

"Really Really Like You", based on a '70s hit film of the same name, is on stage at the National Theater of Korea until Jan. 25 and will move to Hoam Art Hall from Jan. 29 through Feb. 22.

After premiering last June, the musical drew about 100,000 audience members and toured around 12 cities, including Busan, Daegu and Daejeon.

Starring celebrated performers such as Park Hae-mi, Jo Kap-kyeong, Park Sang-myun and Kim Bub-lae, the musical shows the love, hope and frustration of high school students and teachers who finally seek hope through a high school baseball team.

The musical numbers are selected to fit in every situation of the musical's dramatic elements, with 20 songs including the title song, "Really Really Like You" and "On A Night Like This", chosen by music director Koo Chang-mo, formerly a famous singer and member of 80s rock band Songgolmae.

According to musical production company TriPro, people in their 40s and 50s account for more than 70 percent of audience members on average.

Tickets cost 55,000 won to 88,000 won. For more information, call (02) 514-5606.

"Go! Waikiki Brothers!" is based on the 2001 film "Waikiki Brothers" and set in the 1980s. It will be put on stage with a new cast and singer-turned actor Hong Kyung-min and rock musician So Chan-whee will star in the musical.

Highly-talented and well-known top musical performers such as Nam Kyung-ju, Choi Jung-won-I and Yoon Do-hyun will appear in cameos.

The musical was first staged in 2004 and has attracted some 2.7 million viewers over the last five years.

The show follows the same plot as the movie but this year's version will modify the second act.

It tells the story of a 3-man band in which members find a way to cherish the dream of their teenage years with energy, joy and despair, with two settings in which dreams and reality occur.

The musical renders 80s and early 90s top-charted Korean songs and the stage reminds the audience of the bygone years of school days.

The musical will be staged at the National Theater of Korea from Feb. 8-28.

"Midnight Serenade", a local homegrown musical, is now in encore performance mode. Since its premiere in 2006, the musical received rave reviews from critics and audiences.

The musical is set in 1970s and portrays conflicts between a mother and daughter. As the story flashes back and forth with catchy musical numbers, the daughter can understand her mother by exploring her past.

Unlike other retro musicals that use the old hits, this musical consists of 14 new songs composed by Noh Seon-rak reflecting bygone years with vivid lyrics.

The performance will run at Tree and Water Theater in Daehangno through Jan. 25. Tickets cost 30,000 won.

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