Musical 'Secretly, Greatly' Returns with Expanded Scale and Stellar Performances for 10th Anniversary

The beloved musical 'Secretly, Greatly,' inspired by the popular webtoon and film, is making a grand return. Celebrating its 10th anniversary, the production promises an expanded scale and exceptional performances.

On the afternoon of the 29th, a press call for 'Secretly, Greatly: THE LAST' (directed by Choo Jung-hwa) was held at the NOL Theater in Daehangno, Seoul. Attendees included cast members such as Oh Jong-hyuk as Won Ryu-hwan, Niel, Seo Dong-jin, Youngbin, Lee Ji-ham, Jo Yong-hwi as Lee Hae-jin, and Kim Joo-ho, Baek In-tae as Kim Tae-won, who shared insights about the production.

'Secretly, Greatly' is based on a webtoon with over 10 million readers. It tells the story of elite agents from North Korea's 5446 unit who infiltrate a South Korean neighborhood under the guise of a village fool, an aspiring singer, and a high school student, all while carrying out their mission for national reunification. The story was also adapted into a film in 2013, starring Kim Soo-hyun.

The musical first premiered in 2016 and is returning for its sixth run, three years after its fifth. Celebrating its 10th anniversary, the production is back with a larger cast and a grander stage. Actor Jung Tae-gun, who reprises his role as an NIS agent, noted, "I thought the fifth run was the peak of intense and masculine energy, but the production has been upgraded. It's like watching a new show."

Having transitioned from small to medium theaters, the production will now be staged in a large theater, with the main cast expanding from 8 to 17 members. The larger space allows for more dynamic action scenes, a highlight of this sixth run.

To perfect the unique performances, action director Seo Jung-ju, known for his work on films like 'Oldboy' and 'The Man from Nowhere,' joined the team. He shared, "Joining a production loved for 10 years was nerve-wracking, but after many discussions with the cast and crew, I'm very satisfied with the result."

The choreography includes not only action but also acrobatics and b-boying, adding to the spectacle. Choreographer Kim Byung-jin explained, "While North Korean scenes focus on action, South Korean scenes incorporate popular K-pop dance trends."

The production is not just about spectacle; it also delivers a poignant narrative. Executive producer Lee Kyoo-rin stated, "The original webtoon captures the essence of Korean 'jeong' (affection), and we wanted to convey the sweet and salty aspects in the musical." Director Choo added, "The story of 'mothers' within the male-centric narrative is a charm of our production. The agents endure harsh training because they hold dear memories of their families, and we hope audiences will take note of this."

The cast includes several idol-turned-actors such as Kim Dong-jun from ZE:A, Niel from Teen Top, Youngbin from SF9, Mingyu from DONGKIZ, and Lee Ji-ham from A.C.E. Director Choo commented, "It's challenging to find actors who can sing, dance, and act. Musical theater requires all three skills, and we've assembled a cast that excels in all areas. We hope audiences will appreciate their talents."

Reported by Da-yeon Jeong, TenAsia light@tenasia.co.kr