An unpredictable and fierce battle of wits begins again. The musical 'Death Note' meets the audience with a completely changed lineup.

The musical , adapted from the popular manga (Ohba Tsugumi, Obata Takeshi / Shueisha), has captivated the world with its overwhelming narrative and strong characters and returns with a new casting after 2 years. The roles of 'Light Yagami' will be played by Jo Hyeong-kyun, Kim Min-seok, and Lim Gyu-hyung, while 'L' will be played by Kim Sung-kyu, Sandul, and Tang Jun-sang, creating a 100% freshness and a perfected lineup. The musical will hold a preview period for a week starting from Tuesday, Oct. 14, before officially opening at the D Cube Arts Center on Tuesday, Oct. 21.

The musical , adapted from the eponymous Japanese manga, depicts the thrilling battle of wits between 'Light', a genius high school student who aims to realize justice by eliminating evil in society after acquiring the Shinigami's notebook, 'Death Note', and the renowned detective 'L'. Since its Korean premiere in 2015, OD Company, which has established a unique stature in the South Korean musical scene in 2022, has produced a new production showcasing its artistic and commercial appeal.

The details have been enhanced to reinforce the character's narrative, and an ultra-large LED video panel has been introduced on three sides of the stage to maximize the visual immersion with a transcendent aesthetic. As a result, it has received praise as 'the most stylish and sensational production,' achieving complete sellouts for all extended performances and recording full house for the 2023 encore performance, creating a blockbuster mythology in the South Korean musical scene and inducing a 'Death Note syndrome.'

Returning after 2 years, the musical has welcomed a new cast combining solid skills and unique personalities, promising fresh thrills. First, the role of 'Light Yagami', who accidentally picks up the 'Death Note' to realize justice by eliminating criminals, has been cast with Jo Hyeong-kyun, Kim Min-seok, and Lim Gyu-hyung.

Jo Hyeong-kyun, who has overwhelmed the stage with a strong presence in major works such as the musicals , , and , attempts a new transformation as 'Light Yagami'. Possessing exceptional vocal ability and mature acting skills combined with charisma on stage, he has been recognized as an actor capable of embodying numerous characters, transcending age and gender, from youth to cross-dressers to elders. This is why expectations are high for how actor Jo Hyeong-kyun will portray the precariously balancing 'Light' between good and evil.

Singer-songwriter and member of the group MeloMance, Kim Min-seok, rose to fame like a comet in the musical scene after taking on the role of 'Orpheus' in the 2024 musical . He received critical acclaim and audience appreciation for his delicate expressiveness, heavenly vocal tone, and sincere acting skills, achieving the remarkable feat of winning the Best New Actor award at the 9th Korea Musical Awards right after his debut. Earlier this year, he played the title role in , expressing the fever of tragic love, and now he is set to portray 'Light', armed with cold reason and a sense of justice, promising a different charm.

Another new cast member, Lim Gyu-hyung, will take on the role of 'Evan Hansen' in the 2024 musical and, despite being his first lead role in a large theater, he created a 'life character' with impressive vocal ability and powers of persuasion added with detailed expressiveness. Currently performing in , he is dominating the stage with solid vocal performance and immersive acting, gaining full trust from the audience. With his exceptional skills on any stage, expectations and curiosity rise for how he will portray 'Light'.

The world's best detective 'L' will be played by Kim Sung-kyu, Sandul, and Tang Jun-sang, who pierce through the nature of cases with brilliant deductive skills while keeping their identities hidden.

Kim Sung-kyu, who has been consistently mentioned on hypothetical casting lists due to his impressive synchronization with 'L', has firmly established his presence as a musical actor by convincingly portraying characters' emotional lines in various works, including , , and . Through seasoned stage experience, he is expected to embody the extraordinary and unique charm of 'L' as naturally as his personal color while presenting a three-dimensional portrayal of 'L', who possesses cool and sharp insight but also has a childlike recklessness, capturing the audience's gaze and emotions simultaneously.

Sandeul, who debuted in the musical scene with in 2012 and has since performed in numerous musicals such as and , has now positioned himself as a 'trustworthy actor'. He will also take on the role of 'L'. Known for his delicate character interpretation and unique acting, along with his outstanding vocal skills as the main vocalist of B1A4, he is expected to impress with a powerful energy and nuanced emotional expression in portraying 'L's inner turmoil and complex feelings.

Returning to the stage after a long time is the familiar face Tang Jun-sang, who will take the stage as 'L'. He made his debut in the musical and drew great affection from audiences by appearing as a child actor in renowned works such as , , , and . He has since crossed genres in dramas and films, gradually building a broad acting spectrum and, during the audition, he was praised for his outstanding skills, confidently winning the role of 'L'. Tang is expected to bring a stronger presence to the musical .

The role of the Shinigami 'Rem', who sacrifices everything for her unwavering love for 'Amane Misa', has been confirmed to be played by Lee Young-mi and Jang Eun-ah. The master of the stage, Lee Young-mi, who possesses deep experience, will take the stage again as 'Rem' following the 2023 encore performance. Having captivated the audience with her unique charisma and condensed emotional lines, she is expected to portray 'Rem's quiet anguish and devoted feelings, adding a deep resonance to the story. Jang Eun-ah, who has appeared steadily after the new production and is now in her third season, is set to portray 'Rem', enhancing her presence with an attractive and powerful voice. On stage once more, she will deliver an even more intense performance and balanced emotional lines.

The Shinigami 'Ryuk', who drops the 'Death Note' into the human world to cause a fierce whirlwind, will be played by Yang Seung-ri and Lim Jeong-mo. Yang Seung-ri has garnered audience praise with extraordinary immersion, switching between musicals and dramas. Recently expanding his activities through the Netflix series , he has built a solid filmography and is expected to perfectly embody 'Ryuk', who possesses both a cheeky humor and a deep interior. Lim Jeong-mo, known for leaving a strong impression in musicals such as , , and , has joined the cast. He has a unique ability to depict multifaceted characters through excellent character portrayal and profound emotional expression, promising to project a powerful presence as he plays 'Ryuk'.

In the role of 'Amane Misa', a passionate idol singer who ardently loves 'Light Yagami', Choi Seo-yeon and Kay have been cast side by side. Choi Seo-yeon, who joined as a new cast member, has been actively engaging in large theater stages with musicals such as , , and , receiving significant love from the audience for her consistently growing skills with each performance. She is expected to vividly embody the bright and cheerful aspect of 'Amane Misa' and exceed audience expectations. Kay, who created a perfect embodiment of the character during the 2022 performance of , will return to the stage. Drawing on her acting skills developed through roles in and , she will once again captivate the audience with a more three-dimensional portrayal of the character.

Meanwhile, the highly anticipated musical , which will generate a new wave with the addition of a large number of new cast members, is set to begin preview performances on Tuesday, Oct. 14, and run until Sunday, May 10, 2026, at the D Cube Arts Center. As it is a long-running season spanning 7 months, additional cast lineups will be announced later.

[Photo] OSEN DB

[OSEN]

※ This article has been translated by AI. Share your feedback here.