DMZ musical sets one-day reading for December 3, 2026, with Cha Ji-yeon
The new musical, drawn from the novel that inspired Joint Security Area, will be staged as a single reading at Hongik University Daehakro Art Center Grand Theater.
A new musical titled DMZ, adapted from the novel that also inspired Joint Security Area, will hold a one-day reading performance on December 3, 2026, at the Grand Theater of Hongik University Daehakro Art Center in Seoul, according to joynews24.com. Cha Ji-yeon leads the cast as Major Sophie E. Jean-Baptiste, an investigator for the Swiss Neutral Nations Supervisory Commission.
The reading is produced with composer Park Chun-hwi, whose credits include Darwin Young's Origin of Evil and A Thousand Blue Waves, and music director Shin Eun-kyung. The two complete the creative team behind the single performance.
Kang Ki-dung and Ji Hyun-jun play Jung Woo-jin and Oh Kyung-pil, while Park Kyung-ho and Kim Woo-sung take the roles of Kim Su-hyuk and Nam Sung-sik. The source novel is by Park Sang-yeon.
Support for a large-scale reading
The production has been selected for the Arts Management Support Center's 2026 large-scale musical reading performance support project, which backs staged readings of new musical work.
Park Sang-yeon's novel previously reached the stage as the musical Joint Security Area, which had a showcase in 2013 and full runs in 2014 and 2015, taking script and choreography awards at the 8th Musical Awards.
Quick answers
When is the DMZ musical reading performance?
It runs for one day only, on December 3, 2026, at the Grand Theater of Hongik University Daehakro Art Center.
Who is in the cast of the DMZ musical reading?
Cha Ji-yeon plays Major Sophie E. Jean-Baptiste, with Kang Ki-dung, Ji Hyun-jun, Park Kyung-ho and Kim Woo-sung in supporting roles.
What is the DMZ musical based on?
It is adapted from Park Sang-yeon's novel, the same source that inspired Joint Security Area.