“One of the biggest challenges of this production was to adapt Seo Tai-ji’s songs to fit into a musical score, as well as selecting the songs that we felt best represented the story of this musical,” Song added.

Camus’ novel “The Plague” was published in 1947 and based largely on the real-life events of the cholera epidemic that killed a large percentage of Oran’s population in 1849.

The musical tells the horrifically graphic tales of a deadly plague that sweeps the Algerian coastal city of Oran. Featuring characters from all walks of life, including criminals, doctors and random drifters, the story line of the novel-based musical emphasizes the effects that a plague has on place and questions the very nature of human survival and destiny.

“I think that the combination of Seo Tai-ji and Camus as a new musical genre will be both liberating and superb,” said the musical’s director, Noh Woo-sung.

“I truly do consider it destiny that the works of these two artists have finally been able to meet,” Noh added.  

The two-act production will feature 21 of Seo’s rap-rock singles, including “Take One,” “Human Dream,” “Live Wire” and “Coma.” The legendary K-pop idol songs will be reprised by an all-star musical cast including fellow legendary idol star Son Ho-young of g.o.d.

“Seo Tai-ji is a musician who I admire and I have been a fan of his music ever since I was a young kid,” said Son at the press conference. “Being able to transform his songs into a new musical and further blossoming the possibilities of his music is something that I am thrilled to be a part of and have been happily preparing for.” 

The production will also star Kim Da-hyeon, Park Eun-seok, Kim Do-hyun, Oh So-yeon, Linzy of Fiestar and Jeong-min of Boyfriend.

“Peste” will be staged from July 20 to Sept. 30 at the LG Arts Center in Gangnam-gu, Seoul. Ticket prices range from 60,000 won ($52) to 140,000 won and can be purchased online at interpark.com.

By Julie Jackson (juliejackson@heraldcorp.com)