A controversy has arisen over the casting schedule for the musical 'Anna Karenina,' starring musical actress Ock Joo-hyun. The issue, dubbed 'casting monopoly controversy,' centers around the concentration of performance dates on a single actor, which some argue undermines the purpose of triple casting. Others counter that it is an unavoidable choice considering box office success.
According to the schedule released by the production company on the 28th, Ock Joo-hyun is set to perform in 23 out of 38 shows over approximately five weeks. In contrast, her co-stars Lee Ji-hye and Kim So-hyang, who are also triple cast for the same role, will perform only 8 and 7 times, respectively. This means Ock Joo-hyun will appear in about 60% of the performances, leading to criticism that the stage is overly focused on one actor.
Some musical fans have expressed dissatisfaction, stating that the meaning of triple casting has been lost. Fans of the other two actresses have voiced concerns about feeling sidelined, questioning the necessity of triple casting if the plan was to favor one performer.
The controversy has been further fueled by comparisons to the male actors' schedules. Male leads Moon Yoo-kang, Yoon Hyung-ryeol, and Jung Seung-won have more evenly distributed schedules, with 14 and 12 performances each, highlighting the perceived imbalance among the female cast.
Concerns about the actors' condition have also been raised. Ock Joo-hyun is currently performing as Bonnie Parker in 'Bonnie and Clyde' and has upcoming performances in 'Red Book' in Busan and Suwon. With 'Anna Karenina' rehearsals overlapping, fans are worried about her vocal health and physical strain.
In 2021, Ock Joo-hyun had to cancel some performances of 'Wicked' due to health issues, leading to apologies and refunds from the production company. Similar health-related schedule changes occurred in 2023 during 'Beethoven Secret Season 2' and 'Red Book,' adding weight to concerns about her current demanding schedule.
On the other hand, some argue that placing a proven box office draw like Ock Joo-hyun at the forefront is a necessary strategy for the production company. Known for her talent and commercial appeal, Ock Joo-hyun's prominence in the lineup is seen as a common practice in the industry to ensure stable ticket sales.
There are precedents for this approach. In the production 'Life of Pi,' actors Park Jung-min and Park Kang-hyun were double cast as the lead, Pi. However, Park Jung-min's performances sold out, while Park Kang-hyun's had noticeable empty seats, illustrating how casting decisions can directly impact box office results.
An EMK Musical Company representative told TenAsia, "Casting and promotion centered around star actors is a familiar strategy in the industry for ensuring box office success. However, when multiple actors are cast for a single role, diverse audience expectations can lead to understandable reactions."
Meanwhile, the production company of 'Anna Karenina' stated that "casting and performance distribution are the exclusive rights of the production company and the original creators, and we cannot comment further on this matter."
Reporter Jung Da-yeon, TenAsia light@tenasia.co.kr