[Dispatch=Reporter Jung Tae-yoon] "Yumi's Cells" evolves once more as a musical. Expanding from webtoon, animation, and drama to the stage, it previews a new style of emotional narrative.

After approximately five years of development, the work maintains the identity of the original while being reinterpreted in the language of musical theater. A new narrative has been added centered on the original character "Cell 109."

Director Yang Jung-ung stated, "We focused on capturing the analog charm and artistic energy that only performance can deliver," and expressed confidence that "it will be a work that both original fans and first-time audiences can relate to."

The production team of the musical "Yumi's Cells" held a press conference on the 10th at TicketLink 1975 Theater in Seoul. Director Yang Jung-ung, Tiffany Young, Kim Ye-won, Choi Jae-rim, Jung Taek-un, and Kim So-hyang were in attendance.

"Yumi's Cells" is a work that has recorded 3.5 billion cumulative views globally on Naver Webtoon. It has already proven its impact through drama and animation.

The musicalization brought together Sam Company, which has presented musicals including "Mrs. Doubtfire" and the play "Macbeth," and Studio N, which led the audiovisual adaptation of Naver Webtoon. Over five years since 2021, efforts have been devoted to musical production.

The cells in the head, each with different personalities, will come to life and orchestrate Yumi's emotions, to be depicted through spectacular performances and catchy numbers.

Tiffany Young and Kim Ye-won play the protagonist "Yumi." Tiffany Young said, "It starts with the line 'an ordinary 32-year-old office worker.' I believe it's the actor's task to find brilliance within ordinariness. I saw special movements in simple moments from Yumi," explaining her reason for appearing.

Kim Ye-won said, "I was a fan of the original work, and the fact that this piece came to me was a great honor in itself," and emphasized, "The position of laying the foundation for the premiere feels heavy at times, but my trembling and anticipation are great. I really wanted to express the first Yumi on stage, different from the text and drama."

Above all, she related to Yumi. "I thought she was a character similar to me. Anyone who has loved, regardless of gender, will be able to relate to Yumi's heart. I approached it with the heart of cheering for Yumi as she grows," she revealed.

How will Yumi as a musical be different? Tiffany Young said, "I thought of webtoon and drama Yumi as good sources and one of Yumi's blueprints," and added, "Above all, I'm paying close attention to the music and lyrics to complete it."

Kim Ye-won explained, "Yumi in the original and drama is very everyday. Being expressed only that way didn't seem to fit with the energy on stage. I put more strength into the expression and elevated the energy. The stage will showcase a much more fantastical aspect."

The vast 512-episode webtoon narrative has been condensed into 150 minutes. The numbers are abundant as well. From signature themes to zombie cells. A total of 25 numbers unfold the perspectives of various cells.

Director Yang Jung-ung said, "It was a challenging undertaking precisely because there is such an excellent original work. Nevertheless, I wanted to showcase the appeal that only performance can have," he revealed.

He was involved from the script development stage. He said, "I want it to receive as much public love as the original. We went through a process of developing the story, undergoing showcases, and developing it. I hope it becomes a musical representative of Korea."

He continued, "We made an effort to show it with techniques that only performance can deliver without damaging the original. A protagonist with a spin-off character also appears. We've prepared it carefully and entertainingly with musical characteristics."

"We arranged the scenes to match the drama with Ung. Yumi's drama is also interesting, but showing the cells reacting to Yumi's situations is a feature unique to the stage. We've also composed the ensemble of cells entertainingly." (Director Yang Jung-ung)

The original character not in the webtoon is "Cell 109." An apprentice cell, so to speak. The musical depicts his story of growth into a true main cell. It maintains the identity of the original while being completed as a unique character.

Choi Jae-rim and Jung Taek-un take charge of Cell 109. Choi Jae-rim said, "(Cell 109 is) a positive, vibrant, and stage-like character," and introduced, "The name represents the cell's name, but only 109 uniquely doesn't have one. He finds his own name, his own role."

Jung Taek-un said, "Cell 109 is not a character that grows alone. He receives help from other cells and sometimes gives it, growing together," and said, "In doing so, showing the main body Yumi growing as well is the appeal."

Cell 109 shares an important narrative with Yumi. Choi Jae-rim added, "This is a character containing major spoilers. I'm researching what kind of positive effect I can give audiences in the process of finding my own role."

It will showcase musical characteristics while also captivating original fans. Director Yang Jung-ung emphasized, "In the case of cells, we couldn't dress actors in blue tights like the original, so we created our own stage costumes. In doing so, we've embedded small elements from the original like Easter eggs."

Finally, Director Yang Jung-ung urged, "Both the webtoon and drama succeeded. Please also enjoy the analog charm unique to performance. We created the attractive character Cell 109 and connected it to Yumi's story. Please feel the appeal that only performance can deliver."

Meanwhile, the musical "Yumi's Cells" will run at CJ Towol Theater in the Seoul Arts Center from the 30th through August 23rd.

<Photo=Reporter Song Hyo-jin>