The Korea Times is marking its 75th anniversary with a special musical theater gala that brings the magic of Broadway and musical theater to the concert stage. "The Musical," set to take place Monday evening at Lotte Concert Hall in southern Seoul, will be led by acclaimed music director and conductor Kolleen Park. The concert features prominent performers Kang Hye-jung, Michael K. Lee, and Choi Jae-rim, paying tribute to both the legacy of Korea's oldest English-language daily newspaper and the universal language of music that connects people across cultures.

Kolleen Park, who was born to a Korean father and Lithuanian American mother, brings decades of experience to this anniversary celebration. She made her debut as a music director for the Korean original musical "The Last Empress" in the 1990s and has since directed major productions including "Aida" and "She Stars!" over the past three decades. Her expertise extends beyond theater to large-scale events, having served as director for the opening ceremony of the 2014 Asian Para Games and, more recently, directing both the opening and closing ceremonies of the 106th National Sports Festival in Busan in October.

Park's approach to this gala reflects her philosophy of stripping away technological excess to focus on the pure essence of musical performance. "We wanted to focus on acoustic excellence – no microphones, no in-ear monitors, no video projections," Park explained in a written interview with The Korea Times. "This concert is about letting the voices and orchestra resonate naturally and honoring the music itself by fully embracing the hall's exceptional acoustics." In an era where artificial intelligence, video, and technology increasingly dominate performances, she chose to focus on the essentials – voice, orchestra, and story. "This concert is one where you can close your eyes and just listen," Park said.

The gala's carefully curated setlist is designed to take audiences on an emotional journey that mirrors The Korea Times' 75-year history. Park and the musicians selected songs that evoke love, loss, triumph, longing, and hope, reflecting the highs and lows of the newspaper's long legacy. The concert will feature the artistic chemistry between Park and her performers, accompanied by the 40-member High Tone Symphony Orchestra, creating a rich musical experience that showcases both individual talents and collaborative artistry.

Park's collaboration with soprano Kang Hye-jung began during the Korean premiere of "Anna Karenina," where Park was immediately captivated by Kang's performance as Patty. "Even in a brief appearance, her singing left a lasting impression," Park recalled. Their partnership has grown from there, with Kang eagerly embracing new musical challenges. For this anniversary gala, Kang will join Choi for a specially rearranged version of Freddie Mercury and Montserrat Caballé's "Barcelona," an unusual piece that combines pop and opera elements. The duo will also perform "Before and After You" and "One Second and a Million Miles" from "The Bridges of Madison County."

Michael K. Lee's history with Park dates back even further, to the Korean premiere of "Miss Saigon" in 2006, where she served as music director. Park speaks highly of Lee's artistic integrity and natural talent. "Michael is an artist who truly appreciates great performances and doesn't rely on technology or editing. He's a genuinely skilled actor," Park said. "He's never afraid to try something new and he will also present a new duet with Choi Jae-rim." Lee's solo repertoire for the evening includes "Out There" from "The Hunchback of Notre Dame" and "Where in the World" from Maury Yeston's "Phantom."

Choi Jae-rim brings his versatility and adventurous spirit to the gala, qualities that Park particularly admires. He gained wider recognition after a video of his ventriloquist performance of "We Both Reached for the Gun" from "Chicago" went viral, adding to his reputation built on diverse roles such as Lola in "Kinky Boots" and the Phantom in "The Phantom of the Opera." "He's not afraid to take risks and he's prepared many new interpretations for this performance. I'm very much looking forward to it," Park said.

One of the evening's highlights will be Lee and Choi's performance of "Lily's Eyes" from "The Secret Garden" – a musical that has not yet been staged in Korea. This marks the first time the song will be performed locally. "The Secret Garden is a personal favorite of mine and 'Lily's Eyes' brings out the best in both Michael's and my voice. It was his suggestion to include it," Choi explained. The choice reflects the collaborative spirit that defines this anniversary celebration.

Beyond this gala, Choi continues to challenge himself with diverse roles. He is preparing to reprise his role as the duty-bound Humayun in the play "Guards at the Taj" at LG Arts Center in western Seoul, starting November 12. "I remember accepting the role immediately after reading the script during the Korean premiere of 'Guards at the Taj' in 2017. The script was so beautiful, I couldn't resist," Choi said. "Now, after more than seven years, I want to show how I've grown as an actor, working with new cast members and director Shin U-chung, who encourages us to inspire the audience's imagination and interpretation."

Park herself embodies the spirit of constant challenge and reinvention that defines great artists. She remains active on stage as an actor, best known for her portrayal of Diana in the musical "Next to Normal." This summer, she broke new ground by taking on the traditionally male role of director Julian Marsh in the musical "42nd Street," offering a fresh perspective to the character known for discovering hidden talent. Her willingness to cross traditional boundaries reflects the innovative spirit that has guided The Korea Times through its 75-year journey.

For Choi, the drive to continuously expand his artistic horizons comes from a deep love of storytelling. "I find the greatest joy in expanding my storytelling abilities as an actor through a variety of performances. That's what gives me the drive to keep moving forward whenever new opportunities arise," he said. This philosophy of embracing new challenges and finding joy in artistic growth resonates with The Korea Times' own journey of adaptation and evolution over three-quarters of a century, making this musical gala a fitting celebration of both artistic excellence and institutional legacy.