JYJ member Kim Jun-su is set to star in the upcoming musical “December: A Never Ending Story,” portraying the life of the late legendary musician Kim Kwang-seok, who died in an apparent suicide in 1996.

The ex-member of TVXQ is expected to appear onstage for 30 performances, proving his ticket-selling power for the 5 billion won ($4.6 million) blockbuster musical, running from Dec. 8-29 at Sejong Center for the Performing Arts in Seoul.

“For the past three years, Kim has received huge support for his musical projects. He is looking forward to showing another level of depth in ‘December,’” said a representative for C-JeS Entertainment, Kim’s agency.

Kim reportedly accepted the role because of the storyline. Iconic folk singer-songwriter Kim Kwang-seok, the man behind classics including “Saranghaejiman (Though I loved you),” “Seoreunjeune (Around 30)” and “Meonjiga Dwoeo (Become dust),” has been a role model to many singers and musicians.

“December” will be the fourth piece for JYJ’s Kim, who has been praised for strong vocals as well as his ability to take on different roles skillfully and naturally. He also boasts the strongest ticket power in the industry.

His musical debut, “Mozart!,” was a commercial success with Sejong Center for the Performing Arts Grand Theater filled with 3,000 viewers in every session. Tickets for “Tears of Heaven” in 2011 sold out instantly online. In the recent rerun of the musical “Elisabeth” in Seoul, tickets for all 14 of the performances in which the singer was to appear ― some 30,000 seats ― sold out within a minute.

The details for “December” ticket sales will be disclosed in October.

By Cha Yo-rim (yorimcha@heraldcorp.com)