U-Know Yunho promised to watch Max Changmin's first musical.

Shim Chang-min (TVXQ's Strongest Chang-min), who attempted musicals, revealed that he received support from U-Know Yunho.

On the 16th, a production briefing session for the musical 'Benjamin Button' was held at the M Theater of the Sejong Center for the Performing Arts on Sejong-daero, Jongno-gu, Seoul. Director Jo Gwang-hwa, composer Lee Nao, puppet writer Moon Soo-ho, co-director choreographer Shim Sae-in, and actors Kim Jae-beom, Shim Chang-min, Kim Seong-sik, Kim So-hyang, Park Eun-mi, and Lee Areum-sol attended.

Set in the Jazz Age, 'Benjamin Button' is a work that looks at the joy and love of life, the sadness of loss, and the human life that exists beyond time and age through the life of Benjamin Button, who gets younger as he gets older. This is a new creative musical presented by EMK Musical Company based on F. Scott Fitzgerald's short story, which is the original source of the movie 'The Curious Case of Benjamin Button'. Jo Gwang-hwa was in charge of writing and directing the play, and new composer Lee Nao participated in composing it.

Jae-beom Kim, Chang-min Shim, and Seong-sik Kim were cast in the title role of Benjamin Button. Benjamin Button is a man who was born as an old man but gradually becomes younger. He is convinced that Blue is the sweet spot in life that his mother told him, and devotes his life to pursuing her love.

‘Benjamin Button’ is also TVXQ’s Shim Chang-min’s first musical work. Unlike many idols who entered the musical stage at an early age, Shim Chang-min took on the challenge of performing in a musical 21 years after his debut. He laughed and said, “I think I can only explain that it was late in doing it after 21 years.” He continued, "Many idols try musicals, but they didn't get the chance. I couldn't do it because I couldn't do it, but this work had very attractive content such as a novel and a movie."

Shim Chang-min said, "As I was asking for advice from people around me, my friend Cho Gyu-hyeon told me that I would be able to learn a lot and have a valuable time if I worked with director Jo Gwang-hwa." He also said, "I devoted as much time as possible to practicing. Since this is my first musical, the field is different from the dancing and singing I've done so far. I'm no better than any other actor on set. In any case, I'm a great actor. “I did my best to work with the audience and create a good stage,” he joked, adding, “The musical was a lot more difficult and painful than I thought.” He said, "I was able to learn a lot by working with the wonderful production crew and actors. I think I found the 'sweet spot' that I wanted to convey to the audience through this work."

When asked what the reaction of U-Know Yunho, a member of the same group, was, he said, "He supported me a lot and said he would come see me soon."

Kim So-hyang, Park Eun-mi, and Lee Areum-sol played the role of Blue Lou Monnier, Benjamin Button's fateful love and a female jazz club singer who lives with anxiety.

'Benjamin Button' will be performed at the Sejong Center for the Performing Arts' M Theater until June 30.

Kim Ji-won, Ten Asia reporter bella@tenasia.co.kr