Shocking casting shake-up: Musical star Lina — widely known as the wife of actor Jang Seung-jo, who recently drew huge love for My Royal Nemesis — is officially returning to the stage this August.
On the 24th, production company EMK Musical Company unveiled the full casting for the sixth season of the musical Elisabeth.
Elisabeth explores the glittering facade of the Austrian imperial court, the loneliness behind it, and Empress Elisabeth’s fierce longing for freedom — plus her fateful, intimate bond with Death (Der Tod), who forever circles her.
Since its 1992 world premiere in Vienna, Austria, the show has drawn more than 12.5 million viewers worldwide. In Korea, after its 2012 debut, it has played five successful seasons. This new run promises a fresh interpretation and amped-up stagecraft that’s already fueling major hype.
This season’s Elisabeth will be portrayed by Lina, Lee Ji-hye, and Lee Ji-su. Playing Death — the figure who hovers around her like destiny — are Kai, Seo Kyung-su, and Go Eun-sung. Notably, all three actors taking on Death are brand-new to this role this season, set to inject viral new energy into Elisabeth.
Meanwhile, the assassin and chaos agent who drives the narrative, Luigi Lucheni, will be played by Park Eun-tae, Kang Hong-seok, and Noh Yoon. Emperor Franz Joseph of Austria is double-cast with Min Young-gi and Park Min-sung.
This season also features Seo Ji-young and Joo A as Sophie, Franz Joseph’s formidable mother; Jang Yoon-seok and Kim Woo-sung as the tragic Crown Prince Rudolf; Kim Dae-ho as Elisabeth’s father, Max; and Jang Ye-won as her mother, Ludovika.
Signature numbers like 'I Belong to Me' and 'The Last Dance' cut straight to the characters’ deepest emotions and anchor the show’s powerful narrative — a track record that has earned Elisabeth multiple trophies at major musical awards. With a top-tier cast back on deck, this season is already teasing another truly legendary stage.
Elisabeth runs from August 16 to November 15 at Seoul’s Blue Square Woori Bank Hall.