Fan favorites '42nd Street,' 'Kinky Boots' return

2025 lineup of CJ ENM's musical productions (CJ ENM)
2025 lineup of CJ ENM's musical productions (CJ ENM)

South Korean entertainment giant CJ ENM is set to revive a string of beloved musical classics this year.

Returning after five years, the musical "Werther," based on Goethe's "The Sorrows of Young Werther" and revolving around the story of Werther's sublime love for Charlotte, will feature a a star-studded cast that includes Um Ki-joon, Jeon Mi-do, Yang Yo-seob, Kim Min-seok, Lee Ji-hye and Ryu In-ah. Having premiered in 2000, the musical has been reimagined to resonate with Korean sensibilities. The latest run kicks off Friday and runs until March 16 at D-cube Link Art Center in Seoul.

"Werther" (CJ ENM)

The iconic "42nd Street” is also making a comeback. Set during the Great Depression of the 1930s, the story follows Peggy Sawyer, a small-town girl who unexpectedly gets the once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to become a Broadway star, pursuing her dreams against all odds. First staged in 1996 as the first licensed musical in Korea, "42nd Street" remains a beloved classic among audiences. This year, “42nd Street” will run from July to September at Charlotte Theater in Seoul.

"42nd Street" (CJ ENM)

“Kinky Boots," which celebrated its 10th anniversary in Korea last year, is getting a swift return to the stage. CJ ENM's first global co-production will run from October to March 2026 at Charlotte Theater in Seoul before embarking on a nationwide tour. Since its premiered in Korea as the world’s first licensed performance of the Broadway show, it has been performed over 600 times, attracting a cumulative audience of more than 700,000. “Kinky Boots” tells the delightful story of two very different men, Charlie and Lola, who save a failing shoe factory by creating a special line of footwear called "kinky boots."

"Kinky Boots" (CJ ENM)
"Moulin Rouge!" (CJ ENM)

“Moulin Rouge!” -- which premiered in Korea in 2022 as the first licensed production in Asia -- returns for its second run after three years. Set in 1890s Paris, it depicts a love story between Satine, the star of the Moulin Rouge cabaret, and Christian, a young composer. The musical, featuring a mashup of over 70 hit songs by global pop icons including Madonna, Elton John, Sia, Beyonce, Lady Gaga, Adele and Rihanna, will run at Blue Square in Seoul from December 2025 to March 2026.

“Beetlejuice,” the musical based on Tim Burton's 1988 film of the same name, returns after four years for a revival. The story follows a ghostly couple who, after strangers move into their former home, enlist the help of the mischievous ghost Beetlejuice to scare them away. Featuring addictive numbers, dynamic stage sets, magical effects and giant puppets, the production offers a fantastical and visually spectacular experience akin to a theme park adventure. The musical will run at LG Arts Center in Magok-dong, Seoul, from December 2025 to March 2026.

"Beetlejuice" (CJ ENM)