The West End premiere of Marie Curie, selected for ARKO Selection’s Glocal Musical Live, highlights successful public–private collaboration from creation to overseas expansion

Press Night and Gala Concert to be held centered around Korean Cultural Centre UK

The Korean original musical Marie Curie is scheduled to premiere in London’s West End. Directed and performed by an English production crew and cast, Marie Curie will be showcased at the Charing Cross Theatre from June 1 to July 28. The Ministry of Culture, Sports, and Tourism (Minister YU In Chon, MCST) and the Korean Cultural Centre UK will organize various promotional events, including Press Night and Gala Concert, to promote the success of K-Musical.

Marie Curie was chosen for the Glocal Musical Live program by the Arts Council Korea in 2018, receiving production support. Following a live screening at the Korean Cultural Center in Poland in 2021, Marie Curie gained popularity and was invited to the Warsaw Music Gardens Festival in Poland in 2022, where it won the Grand Prize, “Złota Konewka.” This global advancement is the result of close collaboration between the MCST, the Korea Arts Council, the Korea Arts Management Service, Korean Cultural Centers worldwide, and private performing arts organizations. The MCST, in particular, has provided systematic and comprehensive support for K-Musical from its creation to international expansion.

Various side events to feature original cast members OCK Joo Hyun and KIM So Hyang

The Press Night for Marie Curie will take place on June 7 at Charing Cross Theatre. Local journalists, production crew, and actors, including Korean original cast members OCK Joo Hyun and KIM So Hyang, will attend to celebrate the musical’s debut in the West End. On June 8, the Korean Cultural Centre UK will hold a live screening of the full-length Korean production of Marie Curie, followed by an audience Q&A with actors OCK Joo Hyun and KIM So Hyang, as well as producer KANG Byeong Won. On June 10, the Gala Concert will be held, featuring joint performances by Korean and British actors, including Ailsa Davidson, who portrays Marie Curie.

Utilize local connections of Korean Cultural Centers abroad to broaden support for the global expansion of Korean creative works

YONG Ho Seong, Deputy Minister for International Cultural Affairs and Public Relations Office at the MCST, stated, “The MCST will enhance support to ensure that excellent Korean creative works can actively advance overseas, with leadership provided by the Korean Cultural Centers abroad.” He added, “We plan to comprehensively promote K-Musical by introducing outstanding Korean creative works to the local cultural community and organizing customized events utilizing the local connections facilitated by the Korean Cultural Centers abroad.”