Hedwig and The Angry Inch in 2011 is Korea adaptation of a rock musical created by John Cameron Mitchell and Stephen Trask. The musical is a concert-style performance, given by the fictional East German transgender rock singer Hedwig with the backdrop of the seedy Hotel Riverview, revealing the ups and downs of her life, accompanied by her husband Yitzhak. Hedwig’s monologues are also backed up by rock band “The Angry Inch” and rough animations projecting the story. 

Four casts are playing Hedwig alternatingly on different stages, Choi Jae Woong, Jo Jeong Seok, Kim Dong wan, and Kim Jae Wook.

The director of the musical is Lee Ji Na and playing the live music on stage as Angry Inch band members are Boohwal Seo Jae-Hyuck and Chae Jemin who have been in the musical since the first time it was played in Korea in 2005. The musical took stage at the KT&G Sangsang Art Hall in Samseong-dong, southern Seoul.

Kim Jae Wook got an offer to play Hedwig from the stage director in 2009 but he rejected it because he wanted to focus playing with his band, Walrus. He kept trying to recruit Jae Wook and in 2011, Jae Wook decided to go for it while he was still in his 20s, before he enlisted to military. Jae Wook once watched Hedwig the movie in 2002 and was impressed by it. But he never went to watch the korean adaptation musical since 2005, believing the movie would be the best. But ironically, he is now finally playing as Hedwig in the 2011 musical.

Different casts surely created their different Hedwigs. As for Jae Wook’s Hedwig, other casts and crews mentioned his Hedwig as the bravest, the most beautiful, and the most unique. Kim Jae Wook was said to portray the delicate and keen sensibility of Hedwig.

Musical “Hedwig and The Angry Inch” started from May 14 to August 21, but Jae Wook’s last stage was in June 19, due to the military basic training before his enlistment date in July 05.

Kim Jae Wook said “The moment I read and heard Hedwig‘s music, I trembled, and I had the feeling that I had to do this, so I feel regret [in having to leave the project early]. Though I’m leaving to defend the country, I’ll do my best till the end.”

He also mentioned that the experience in Hedwig musical will be a memory he won’t easily forget and he’s happy with his decision to star in it because he learns so much from it.

Watch some cuts of Kim Jae Wook’s performances as Hedwig

Sugar Daddy

Angry Inch

Last stage (Encore)

In case you’re wondering why he appears only in brief without clothes on, it is scripted. As Hedwig liberates himself of gender and sings freely, he appears without any attributes. Other casts do this as well, you can see the video of Jo Jeong Seok’s last stage also in youtube.

For Jae Wook’s stage as Hedwig, his band member Walrus’s basist, Yang Si On accompanied him on stage, playing as one of the Angry Inch band member.

Some press call interviews of Hedwig

Video Credit: kfc197393, NouvelleVague2010, CorneliaKwon, eNEWS24, The Kdramaholic, chulenga.

Hedwig and The Angry Inch track listing in the musical:

1. Tear Me Down
2. The Origin of Love
3. Sugar Daddy
4. Angry Inch
5. Random Number Generation
6. Wig in a Box
7. Wicked Little Town
8. The Long Grift
9. Hedwig’s Lament
10. Exquisite Corpse
11. Wicked Little Town (Reprise)
12. Midnight Radio

4 Hedwig and 3 Yitzhak