The Boyz’s New Steps Onto the Musical Stage as Romeo

New of The Boyz is opening a new chapter in his career with his first ever musical role. The singer has been cast as Romeo in the Korean production of Romeo and Juliet, marking his official debut on the musical theater stage.

A New Challenge Beyond the Idol Stage

According to his agency One Hundred, New will take on the lead role when the musical opens on March 24 at the KEPCO Arts Center. The casting signals a clear expansion of his artistic range as he moves beyond concerts and albums into long form live performance.

For New, the project represents a deliberate step into a different performance environment where acting, vocals, and emotional storytelling must unfold in real time on stage.

A Global Musical With a Long History

Romeo and Juliet is based on William Shakespeare’s classic tragedy and was first adapted into a musical in Paris in 2001. The production quickly became a sensation, selling out performances for a full year and drawing millions of audience members across Europe.

The musical later reached Korean audiences in 2007, attracting around 100,000 theatergoers. Now, nearly two decades later, the production is returning to Korea for a revival, renewing interest in the beloved story for a new generation.

New’s Take on Romeo

Ahead of the opening, character posters released on February 9 offered a first glimpse of New transformed into Romeo. His portrayal focuses on a dreamy young man who initially drifts through life without much direction, only to be profoundly changed after meeting Juliet at a masked ball.

New is expected to express Romeo’s emotional growth through subtle acting and controlled vocal delivery, capturing the shift from youthful idealism to deep, transformative love.

First Musical Role Since Debut

This production marks New’s first musical appearance since debuting with The Boyz in 2017. Over the years, he has built a global fanbase through group activities and performances, and this role presents an opportunity to showcase a different side of his talent.

By stepping into musical theater, New is positioning himself as a versatile performer capable of crossing genres and stages.

Performance Schedule and What’s Next

The musical Romeo and Juliet will run from March 24 through May 31 at KEPCO Arts Center in Seoul. As anticipation builds, fans and theater audiences alike are watching closely to see how New brings one of literature’s most iconic characters to life.

With this debut, New signals that his journey as a performer is still evolving, and that the stage has many more stories ahead.