The steady-seller musical Kinky Boots (produced by CJ ENM) is coming back. The musical Kinky Boots, which celebrated its 10th anniversary last year and received passionate love from audiences, will open a six-city tour starting Nov. 1 at Goyang Aram Nuri Aram Theater. Beginning at Goyang Aram Nuri Aram Theater and passing the baton to the finale at Seoul Charlotte Theater, it plans to spread "kinky power" across the country.
CJ ENM's flagship global co-producing musical Kinky Boots is adapted from the true success story of a shoe factory that survived by making special boots during a time when handcrafted shoe factories in Northampton, England, were facing an existential crisis. Through the process of Charlie and Lola, who lived in completely different worlds, understanding each other and becoming true friends, it conveys a message of inclusion and positivity, forming a deep empathy and lingering impression for viewers and building a devoted fan base over a long time.
When it premiered on Broadway in 2013 it caused a sensation and swept six Tony Awards including best musical, best score, best actor, best orchestrations, best choreography and best sound design, and when it premiered in Korea in 2014 it immediately won best musical and best actor at The Musical Awards that year. In addition, it proved its artistic merit by winning best foreign musical at the 2015 Yegreen Musical Awards, the grand prize in the musical category at the 2017 Edaily Culture Awards, and best actor and ensemble awards at the 2018 Korea Musical Awards.
It also proved exceptional box-office power. In 2024, its 10th anniversary year, news of the performances immediately became a hot topic, and it sold out day after day, ranking first in ticket sales at every ticketing outlet every time tickets opened. With an overwhelming average seat occupancy rate of 99.8%, it solidified its position as a steady seller, and various cover videos of the signature number "Land of Lola" were continuously produced and reproduced, creating a whirlwind of box-office frenzy that made Korea "kinky".
After a very hot 10th anniversary season last year, the musical Kinky Boots continues its standing this year as one of CJ ENM's 30th anniversary selections, combining popular appeal and artistic quality. Now in its seventh season, the musical Kinky Boots developed the concept of "boost up," meaning to lift up, into a new slogan, "Kinky boost up," announcing bold aspirations. In addition, news of the joining of a new cast befitting the new slogan has raised expectations.
With news of the joining of veteran actors known for reliable performances and fresh new actors promising a shot of dopamine, first, Kim Ho-young, Lee Jae-hwan and Shin Jae-beom have been cast as Charlie, a novice owner who struggles to save the family shoe factory facing closure.
Kim Ho-young, who helped make Kinky Boots an unrivaled hit by taking part in four seasons from 2016 and leading its popularity, has joined this season as well, sharing a meaningful start. With broad stage experience and his characteristic vibrant energy, he brings his own color to every performance; as Charlie himself, who needs no descriptor, he enjoys absolute trust from audiences. This season, he will return the love he has received from audiences with his accumulated acting skills and unwavering stage presence, continuing the new emotions alongside his reputation as Hoi Charlie.
Lee Jae-hwan, joining this season as the new Charlie, has built a foundation through various works and developed diverse skills including powerful vocals and delicate expression. As VIXX's main vocalist, a solo artist and a musical actor, Lee Jae-hwan's bright, buoyant charm and energy will bring new breath to the character Charlie and raise expectations for a stage that will reveal another side of Charlie. In addition, with a high degree of synergy with the character, he is attracting attention as the new cast who will open this season of Kinky Boots.
Like Kim Ho-young, Shin Jae-beom, who is joining for his third season, first took on the role of Charlie in 2022 and injected new vitality with a performance that fully embodied the character. Having renewed his signature role through Charlie, Shin Jae-beom has won much love for immediately immersing audiences with his stable vocals and acting. Already having built solid trust as Charlie, he is expected to present a stage that exceeds expectations this season by portraying an even deeper, more solid Charlie with further growth.
The role of Lola, a beautiful and cheerful character who confidently confronts prejudice and oppression, is played by Kang Hong-seok, Baek Hyung-hoon and Seo Kyung-su. Kang Hong-seok, the original Lola, who has delivered the musical's explosive energy beyond expectations with his tremendous energy, raises audience anticipation to its peak just with the casting news. Having played Lola in every season except one since the premiere, he has captivated audiences with an unmatched charisma and overflowing talent through performances perfectly fused with the character. This season, Kang Hong-seok will continue the box-office legend by presenting a passionate Lola with his overwhelming energy and confident charm.
Baek Hyung-hoon joins as the new Lola and will add a different charm this season. Now in his 15th year since debut, he has solidified his presence by proving a wide acting spectrum in major works such as Jesus Christ Superstar and Rent. This season he will take on the challenge of transforming into Lola, blending proven acting skills and diverse expressiveness to emit strong energy while also conveying emotional depth, presenting a new Lola. His Lola debut stage is expected to offer audiences fresh emotion and energy and become a highlight of the season.
Seo Kyung-su, appearing on stage for the third season since first being cast as Lola in 2022, completes this season's lineup and injects vitality into the production. Known as a kingmaker actor, his take on the drag queen Lola, with his distinctive tasteful sensibility and delicate expressiveness, has created a captivating Lola unlike any before and refreshed his career. This season, with his solid, powerful voice and sharpened acting, he is expected to showcase his kinky power, and attention is focused once again on the "must-see" Lola he will portray.
Han Jae-a and Heo Yoon-seul join as Lauren, the factory worker who gives unreserved advice and material and emotional support to Charlie and approaches everything with passion. Han Jae-a, with a clear tone and wide character adaptability, will embody the magical new Lauren with bright energy and an honest, bubbly charm to captivate audiences. Heo Yoon-seul, who brings strong vocals and stable acting to give the character her own color, will add loveliness and surprising twists to the quirky and lively Lauren, fully immersing audiences.
Shin Seung-hwan, Shim Jae-hyun and Kim Dong-hyun will take the stage as Don, the tough factory worker with a fiery temperament and rough edges who occasionally causes conflict. Shin Seung-hwan, who has ranged across screen and stage and built deep acting skills and intense charisma, will as a new Don cast proudly assert his presence on stage and anchor the production. Shim Jae-hyun, loved for playing Don in every season since the premiere, returns as the beloved "Don master" and will repay the love he has received as an indispensable, scene-stealing presence in Kinky Boots. Kim Dong-hyun, who participated in 2022 as Hutch, confidently takes on the role of Don, creating a lineup fitting a growth character and perfectly completing the new season's casting.
Meanwhile, Kinky Boots will meet audiences on a six-city tour beginning with performances at Goyang Aram Nuri Aram Theater from Nov. 1 to Nov. 9. The nationwide tour's finale in Seoul will run at Charlotte Theater from Dec. 17 to Mar. 29, 2026.
[Photo] provided
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