Which of this second-half season's opening productions are you most looking forward to? For me, it's the musical <Yumi's Cells>!
<Yumi's Cells> is set to run at the Seoul Arts Center's Towol Theatre from June 30 to August 23! Based on the Naver webtoon <Yumi's Cells>, which has accumulated a total of 3.5 billion views, the musical boasts a dazzling lineup — Tiffany Young and Kim Ye-won as Yumi, Choi Jae-rim and Jung Taek-woon as Cell 109, and Kim So-hyang and Yuria as the Love Cell! A brand-new character called "Cell 109," who doesn't appear in the original webtoon, has been introduced, promising to deepen both the source material's themes and the musical's own appeal.
On June 19th at 2 p.m., a live sitzprobe was streamed on Chzzk! As a world-premiere production, there was a lot of anticipation about what numbers the show would include. Fittingly, since the musical is based on a Naver webtoon, the sitzprobe was broadcast live on Naver's own streaming platform, Chzzk.
Music director Kim Sung-soo — known for his work on Netflix's <Squid Game> series and the musical <Gwanghwamun Sonata> — helmed the sitzprobe, presenting the first live run-through with the orchestra and cast together. Director Kim offered warm words of encouragement to the performers as they rehearsed with the orchestra for the first time, and it was in that cozy, uplifting atmosphere that the opening number of <Yumi's Cells> began.
#1. The World We Make + #2. The Protagonist
This number is sung by the cells living inside Yumi, expressing what the universe that is Yumi means to them. We're introduced to Yumi herself — the owner of all these cells who live for her every day — along with her boyfriend Woong. When I first heard about the show, I assumed it would begin at the moment Yumi is introduced to Woong in the original webtoon and follow the process of them getting together, so I was surprised to find it opens with them already in a relationship. Yumi believes Woong is her male lead — and declares herself the female lead of her own story.
The opening number, "The World We Make," was a warm and lively piece that brought to mind "Opening Up" from the musical <Waitress>. The sight of the orchestra playing at the top was striking in itself, and the number made me all the more eager to see the curtain rise at Towol Theatre when it finally does.
#3. Turn the Millstone
This number follows Yumi, who works in the accounting department, as she receives an offer to transfer to the PR team — and spins her mental millstone trying to decide what to do. Each cell's personality comes through vividly: the Miser Cell argues she should stay in accounting for the stable paycheck, while the Naughty Cell insists she should go to PR because there are plenty of attractive men there.
In the original <Yumi's Cells> webtoon, whenever Yumi has to think hard about something, the cells spin a millstone inside her head.
At night, the Emotional Cell gets too lost in feelings to spin the millstone properly, while the Rational Cell keeps it turning diligently no matter what — a detail that's both true to life and delightfully funny. I'm very curious to see how this millstone from the webtoon will be brought to life on the musical stage.
#4. One O Nine
This is the number Cell 109 sings as he wanders, lost, and makes his way toward Yumi's Cell Village. With no memories and no idea who he is, Cell 109 walks toward the lights of the village — what will unfold from there? How will the prime cell, the Love Cell, treat him? We're told that at first Cell 109 comes to admire the Love Cell, and I'm very curious to see how the actors bring that dynamic to life.
#5. Minor Minor Minor
The Detective Cell and the Anxiety Cell explain the cell hierarchy to the newly arrived apprentice, Cell 109. In addition to the Prime Cell from the original webtoon, a new tier called "Major Cells" has been introduced — and those Major Cells turn out to be Reason and Emotion, which makes sense given how much they influence our behavior. The remaining cells, like Detective and Anxiety, describe themselves as Minor Cells, but they're completely unbothered by the label, declaring with infectious energy that they'll do something amazing one day. Cell 109 says he likes the sound of that — even if he admits it makes him a little reluctant to be seen with them — and the three of them form "Team 109."
(Detective Cell: This guy — he named the team after himself!)
I expected the number to be solemn since it was supposedly about explaining the hierarchy, so I was struck by how the mood suddenly flips to something bright and buoyant with the line "honestly, zero damage." I'm now curious about the choreography for Anxiety and Detective Cell when this number is performed, and even more curious about what role Team 109 will play as the story unfolds.
#6. Naughty Party
A playful number in which the Naughty Cell throws a naughty party deep in Yumi's head late at night — it looks like a moment designed for audience participation. Apparently it's Cell 109 who comes to find the Naughty Cell, which raises the question: why does Cell 109 seek him out? This was a number where actor Lee Kyung-wook's performance as the Naughty Cell really shone.
#7. Rewriting the Page / Tap Tap
In this number, Cell 109 encourages the Writer Cell — who has been nowhere to be seen in the Cell Village — and brings her back, helping Yumi write effective copy for the PR team. It's a bright, energetic tap number that calls to mind "Go Into Your Dance" from <42nd Street>. I'm a fan of <42nd Street>, and I love the lively atmosphere and ensemble choreography of showbiz-style musicals, so this is the number I'm most excited to see performed live on stage. It feels like the kind of number that says, "This is what a big-stage musical is all about!" — and I can't wait to see the cells tap-dancing together.
#8. Sinner 109
According to music director Kim Sung-soo, this is the most difficult number in the show. It's a trial scene in which Cell 109 is put on trial for defying the prime cell, the Love Cell. The Rational Cell and the Emotional Cell argue for Cell 109's dissolution, citing his rogue behavior — going to the Naughty Cell and throwing a naughty party, among other things. But the Detective Cell argues for his innocence, pointing to how he brought back the isolated Writer Cell and helped the cell played by actress Soi. The ensemble's choral refrain — "One who defied the Prime, one who defied Love" — lends the scene a weighty, courtroom gravitas. I'm left wondering: who exactly is the cell played by Soi, and what verdict will Cell 109 ultimately receive?
During the live sitzprobe, there was a charming little mishap when actress Soi couldn't quite reach the standing microphone, prompting music director Kim Sung-soo to stop, adjust the mic, and then have her continue from where she left off. Isn't that exactly the kind of moment that makes a live broadcast special?
#9. I'm the Prime Rep.
This is the Love Cell's number about the weight of being the Prime Cell. When the <Yumi's Cells> casting was first announced, I was puzzled that Yuria and Kim So-hyang — rather than the lead actress playing Yumi — had been cast as the Love Cell. After hearing this number, it became clear: these two powerhouse vocalists were cast precisely for it. It's a number that showcases the very essence of belting, and unlike the upbeat numbers that precede it, this one is earnest and classical in the best sense. I imagine hearing it live at Towol Theatre will give you goosebumps from head to toe and bring the audience to its feet.
#10. One Universe
A number in which actor Jae-rim's velvety voice weaves together with the cells' chorus.
The number declares that Woong is not the male lead — that there is no male lead — and that Yumi herself is our universe. It was the most talked-about number among fans after the sitzprobe ended. It feels like it will appear at the moment Cell 109 comes to understand his own identity, and I'm very curious to see what staging and direction will accompany it.
#11. Love
A duet between the Love Cell and Cell 109, though one built on conflict rather than harmony — grand and serious in tone. Yumi appears to be facing some kind of rift with Woong; the Love Cell cannot bring herself to play the breakup card and finds herself at odds with Cell 109.
After this "Love" number, there were brief previews of what seemed to be Act Two numbers. As the sitzprobe was drawing to a close, a line of dialogue from one of the cell actors slipped in between numbers:
"From now on, I'll wear what Woong tells me to wear and do whatever he wants…"
I don't remember the exact wording, but the line carried roughly that kind of implication. It seems that in #11, the Love Cell ultimately fails to play the breakup card, and Yumi continues her increasingly fragile relationship with Woong — so how will Cell 109 resolve the situation? And what, exactly, is Cell 109's true identity?
There was also a delightful moment during the sitzprobe's commemorative flash-sale announcement, when the line — "Booking Cell, are you ready? See you at the theatre!" — fell out of sync on the first try, turning into something like a cacophonous round, and music director Kim Sung-soo had to ask everyone to read it again from the top.
As Cell 109 himself suggested, this is ultimately a story about Yumi's cells — and so I expect the choices made will be for Yumi's sake, leading to a breakup with Woong, with the story closing on Yumi learning to love herself, or perhaps leaving her job to become a writer and finding a new love. (Those who've read the webtoon will know exactly who comes after Woong, but given how poorly received that character tends to be, if a new love does appear at the end, I have a small hunch it might be Reindeer, the male lead from Season 3 of the drama adaptation.)
Watching this sitzprobe, one thought kept coming to me: with <Yumi's Cells>, producer SamCompany is firmly establishing its own artistic identity. Korea's major musical production companies each tend to have a distinct signature that sets them apart. EMK Musical Company stages lavish musicals with European settings; S&Co. aims to faithfully reproduce Broadway hits on the Korean stage; Shinsiway is known for preserving the American-style humor and edge of its productions. Ever since the synopsis for <Yumi's Cells> was released, I had a feeling it would share a similar sensibility with SamCompany's recent flagship production <Mrs. Doubtfire> — and after watching the sitzprobe, I'd say my instinct was right.
<Mrs. Doubtfire> is a high-energy show musical based on the beloved comedy film of the same name — bright and fun throughout, packed with quick-change costumes and humor, it won over family audiences last season and returns for a third run just a year later. Yet it also makes room for genuinely moving numbers and scenes, such as those dealing with the anxieties of children from divorced families. <Yumi's Cells> similarly has its serious moments — Yumi's agonizing over the relationship, the Love Cell's inner conflict — but overall, I got the sense the show will unfold as a bright, comedic piece. After all, Yumi is going to be okay in the end.
SamCompany has in the past staged more challenging, unconventional works like <Assassins> and <City of Angels>, but looking at their current slate — <42nd Street>, <Mrs. Doubtfire>, and now
<Yumi's Cells> — I've come to realize they are pursuing what might be called "casual large-scale musicals for all generations." Where Korean big-stage musicals have traditionally been associated with weighty, serious tragedies, SamCompany has carved out a niche by producing and importing works that are primarily bright and joyful in spirit. It's a smart move: accessible shows that anyone can enjoy with family, friends, or a partner are well-suited to group bookings and have the power to draw in general audiences beyond the dedicated musical theatre crowd. I hope <Yumi's Cells> finds all the love it deserves.
With opening night for <Yumi's Cells> now just one week away —
If you loved the drama or the original webtoon,
or if you're looking for a fun, lighthearted musical to enjoy with someone special,
why not spend a cool summer evening at the Seoul Arts Center with this one?
Photos: Live sitzprobe of musical <Yumi's Cells>
