South Korean Musicals Make Their Streaming Debut on Disney+ This August!

Some of Korea’s most iconic homegrown musicals by EMK Musical Company are heading to streaming for the first time.

The leading South Korean producer of original and licensed musical productions announced Monday that six of its biggest titles — “Elisabeth,” “Phantom,” “Monte Cristo,” “The Man Who Laughs,” “Xcalibur” and “Marie Antoinette” — will be released on Disney+ this August.

With this release, EMK hopes to offer longtime fans a chance to relive the experience while also introducing first-time watchers to the emotional depths of the genre, according to the company’s statement.

Launching the rollout on Aug. 6 are “Elisabeth: The Musical Live” and “Phantom: The Musical Live.” The Korean edition of “Elisabeth,” which traces the tragic life of Austria’s iconic empress, premiered in 2012. The live recording of the production’s 10th anniversary performance featuring Ock Joo-hyun and Lee Ji-hoon was released in cinemas last year.

“Phantom,” based on Gaston Leroux’s “The Phantom of the Opera,” was captured in 2021 with cinematic close-ups and immersive sound. The production stars KyuHyun, Shin Young-sook and ballerina Kim Joo-won.

On Aug. 13, “Monte Cristo” and “The Man Who Laughs” arrive. Filmed in 8K with 14 cinematic cameras, “Monte Cristo” showcases actors such as Kai and Lina in a dynamic, onstage perspective. “The Man Who Laughs” was recorded in 2018, when the musical adaption of Victor Hugo’s novel was premiered. In 2019, the 143-minute director’s edition, featuring Park Kang-hyun, Shin Young-sook and Yang Joon-mo, was released in Korean cinemas.

“Xcalibur,” a retelling of the Arthurian legend, and “Marie Antoinette,” which contrasts the ill-fated queen’s life with that of the fictional revolutionary Marguerite Arnaud, roll out on Aug. 20.

“We want to offer audience members who had attended the performances a chance to relive the emotions they felt at the time, while providing those who were unable to visit the theater in person an opportunity to newly experience the essence of the musical through high-definition video and immersive sound,” the company said.