Musical actor Choi Jae-rim catches Covid, 'Phantom,' 'Misérables' casting switched

Choi tested positive for Covid-19 on Sunday, after several voice cracks while singing during the evening show of "Les Misérables."

Actor Choi Jae-rim in the character poster of three musicals. From left are Choi as Jean Valjean of ″Les Miserables,″ Phantom of ″Phantom of the Opera″ and Jamie of ″Last Five Years″ [S&CO, LES MISERABLES KOREA, SEENSEE COMPANY]

Musical actor Choi Jae-rim tested positive for Covid-19 and has been switched out of the casting schedule for "The Phantom of the Opera" and "Les Misérables" shows on Wednesday and Thursday.

The Thursday matinee performance of "Les Misérables" has been passed to actor Min Woo-hyuk, who alternates Jean Valjean with Choi.

"The Phantom of the Opera" switched out Choi for actors Kim Joo-taek in the matinee on Wednesday and Cho Seung-woo in the evening, to play the Phantom.

Choi tested positive for Covid-19 on Sunday, after several voice cracks while singing during the evening show of "Les Misérables."

"Les Misérables" is playing at Blue Square in Yongsan District, central Seoul, until March 10, and "The Phantom of the Opera" is playing at Daegu's Keimyung Arts Center, until Feb. 4.

Choi is starring in both shows as the lead. He is also rehearsing for the two-person musical "Last Five Years," which is already playing at Sejong Center in Jongno District, central Seoul. Choi is belatedly joining the show, and his performances are slated to start on Feb. 8, at Sejong Center. Actor Lee Choong-joo, who has been cast in the same role as Choi, is covering the role until Choi begins next week.

Choi is able to simultaneously star in more than one show because of Korea's unique multi-cast system for musicals. In many local productions, and nearly all shows staged in theaters with more than 400 seats, around three actors are typically cast in the same leading roles.

"We regret to inform you that Choi Jae-rim will not be able to keep his promise to the audience due to testing positive for Covid-19," the actor's agency For Kyyks Entertainment said in a press release. "We will try our best to support the actor so he can quickly return to the stage."

BY LEE JIAN [lee.jian@joongang.co.kr]