Musical Actress Cha Ji-yeon Suffers Breathing Issue During Performance of 'Gwanghwamun Sonata'

Musical actress Cha Ji-yeon faced a health emergency during a performance of 'Gwanghwamun Sonata' on December 22, leading to an abrupt halt of the show. This incident marks another setback in her career due to health concerns after a five-year hiatus.

The production company, CJ ENM, issued an apology to the audience, stating, "We sincerely apologize for the inconvenience caused to those who attended the 2 PM performance of 'Gwanghwamun Sonata.' During the first act, Cha Ji-yeon, who plays the role of Wolha, experienced a temporary breathing issue, prompting the decision to stop the performance. She was promptly taken to the hospital for necessary examinations and is currently resting and recovering."

They further expressed their regret for any distress caused to the audience and conveyed Cha Ji-yeon's commitment to focus on her recovery to return to the stage in better form. Ticket holders for the affected performance will receive a 110% refund based on their purchase amount, processed in two steps.

The performance, held at the D-Cube Arts Center in Guro, Seoul, was interrupted when Cha Ji-yeon could no longer continue due to her condition. Audience members noted that she appeared to be struggling during a curtain call for 'The Last Empress' in Busan just a day prior, raising concerns about her health.

In light of this situation, the production team for 'The Last Empress' announced a casting change, stating, "Due to health reasons, Cha Ji-yeon will be replaced for the performances scheduled on December 24 and 25 by actress Kim So-hyun." They also provided information for ticket cancellations and refunds, emphasizing that requests made through customer service before the deadline would incur no fees.

Cha Ji-yeon previously stepped back from the musical 'Anna Karenina' in 2019 after being diagnosed with thyroid cancer, making her current health issues particularly concerning for fans and the industry alike.