OD Company CEO and producer Shin Chun-soo is setting his sights on the global market beyond Korea. He is aiming to enter Broadway next fall with 'The Great Gatsby' and has expressed his aspirations in a solid manner.
On the afternoon of the 27th, a press conference was held at Studio 159 in Samseong-dong, Gangnam-gu, Seoul to announce the vision and global new work of the musical production company OD Company. CEO and producer Shin Chun-soo attended the event. OD Company, established in 2011, has produced musicals ‘Assassin’, ‘Nine’, ‘Contact’, ‘Titanic’, ‘Dreamgirls’, ‘Doctor Zhivago’, ‘Jekyll and Hyde’, ‘Man of La Mancha’, and ‘Sweeney Todd’. , ‘Dracula’, and ‘Death Note’ were produced.
On this day, CEO Shin said, “Up until now, OD Company has been at the center of the development of Korean musicals.” He added, "The period from 2001 to 2011 was the period of the birth of Korean musicals, and we showed really challenging and experimental moves. It was a time when we created diverse and experimental works, and I was personally the happiest."
CEO Shin said, "We are an OD company that will lead the global musical market beyond Korea. Musicals cannot be loved all over the world through OTT. Only when their artistry is recognized in one theater can they go global. That platform is America's Broadcast. Way and England’s West End,” he said.
Regarding 'true global', CEO Shin defined it as "securing the scalability of the work and value as a content business based on the success of the original Broadway and West End." OD Company, with the mission of 'Open the Door', started with 'The Great Gatsby', 'Il Te Song', 'Captain Nemo', 'Light of Florence', 'August Rush', and 'Wordling Heights' for 5 years. Presented sequentially. Production began in earnest with ‘The Great Gatsby’ and ‘Il Te Song’.
‘The Great Gatsby’ is based on the novel of the same name published by American author F. Scott Fitzgerald in 1925. A mash-up of the 1920s jazz genre and modern pop music, it tells the story of Jay Gatsby, a mysterious millionaire who will stop at nothing to pursue his passion for Daisy Buchanan. Producer Shin Chun-soo's goal is to enter Broadway in 2024.
CEO Shin said, "We are not the best, and we are not the best team working on a musical. However, I think we are a team with the talent to create the best work. Isn't the best the one that everyone recognizes?" Although the creative team of 'The Great Gatsby' all debuted on Broadway, I believe that they will prove their existence through 'The Great Gatsby' and that they will be able to become the best through this work. So, I am working hard and immersed in it,” he said.
He also said, "The important thing when working on a piece is trusting and relying on each other. It is no exaggeration to say that 'The Great Gatsby' is the only work that was done by me from start to finish. It is clear that we thought about it every day and devoted ourselves to this work. “So, I think ‘The Great Gatsby’ will become a beloved IP on Broadway for a long time. We are preparing well,” he said.
Why did CEO Shin choose ‘The Great Gatsby’? He said, "It is a human story about dreams and goals. I am very interested in these kinds of narratives, so I was able to choose and create this kind of work. I think that the universality and artistry of the narrative must be secured to be loved around the world." .
In fact, CEO Shin experienced three Broadway failures, including 'Dreamgirls', 'HOLLER IF YA HEAR ME', and 'Doctor Zhivago'. He said, "It went to Broadway and failed. 'Doctor Zhivago' was pulled down two weeks after opening. I suggested that it be pulled down. The two failures were painful. 'Doctor Zhivago' sold a lot of tickets, but it was pulled down after the production went on sale. New York. “I got a hard time from the Times. I thought I had to take it down, so I strongly suggested that I take down the show,” he confessed.
He said, "It was taken down because it could not be made. The reason it is difficult to enter Broadway is because it is not easy. The theater owner takes (part)% of the sales. It is basic to produce a successful work. With so many works on the market, it is difficult to create a great IP. "It's a job. I can say with confidence that it's not an easy job. That's how difficult it can be for us to enter Broadway," he said honestly.
Nevertheless, CEO Shin issued a challenge, saying, ‘Three or three times.’ He said, "There were things I could not fulfill through experience. I did it with a Korean mindset. I thought we could do something together, but I lacked the experience aspect. Now, I am having a fulfilling process while performing try-up performances." I think we are doing a good job by making cool judgments and developing this work. Not all works are successful because of confidence. Looking at the speed of development for 'The Great Gatsby', including all the cooperation and teamwork, I have great expectations. “There is,” he said confidently. He then asked for support.
As production costs are high, it is inevitable that ticket prices will rise. Regarding this, CEO Shin said, "As many works are produced, a bubble has formed in production costs. No producer is willing to raise prices easily. Isn't this also something that can reduce accessibility to the audience?"
In addition, "I want to improve as the president of the Korea Musical Association, but I think that the current increase in production costs may become a problem in the future. So I think serious consideration is needed. We are constantly having conversations. The work is being produced in an unstable state." “I think this is something that needs to be improved. I will discuss this with many people,” he said.
Kang Min-kyung, Ten Asia reporter kkk39@tenasia.co.kr