Winners of the 9th Korean Musical Awards Announced

The 9th Korean Musical Awards took place on January 13, 2025, at the Universal Art Center in Gwangjin-gu, Seoul, celebrating the achievements of the past year in Korean musical theater. The prestigious Grand Prize was awarded to the original musical 'Il Tenore', which also secured the Best Actor award for Hong Kwang-ho, who portrayed the character Yoon Yi-sun, inspired by the renowned tenor Lee In-sun from the Japanese colonial period.

Kim Soo-ha won the Best Actress award for her role as Eurydice in 'Hadestown', a modern retelling of the Greek myth of Orpheus and Eurydice. The ceremony also honored the late Im Young-woong, a significant figure in Korean performing arts, with a posthumous Achievement Award, which was accepted by his daughter, Lim Soo-jin.

'Il Tenore' and 'Hadestown' were the standout productions of the night, with 'Hadestown' winning a total of six awards, including Best Supporting Actress for Choi Jung-won and Best New Actor for Kim Min-seok. The awards recognize the contributions of creators and performers, fostering a spirit of encouragement and celebration within the community.

In the category of Best Musical, 'Dear Evan Hansen' won for productions with over 400 seats, while 'Hongryeon' took home the award for productions with fewer than 400 seats. The event highlighted the growth and evolution of Korean musicals, showcasing a diverse range of talent and creativity in the industry.