Figure skater Cha Joon-hwan is headlining a webtoon-based ice show as part of a series of cooling performances in South Korea.
These productions aim to provide public relief and entertainment during an ongoing heat wave. By utilizing ice rink venues, organizers are positioning the shows as a physical and psychological countermeasure to the rising temperatures.
The ice show is based on a popular webtoon that has reached 14.3 billion cumulative views [1]. Cha's role in the production involves a blend of athletic performance and storytelling. He portrays the character Sung Jin-woo, integrating vocal performances with technical skating.
"It is an ice show where three combinations stand out, so there are parts where I sing and parts where I focus on skating to the role of 'Sung Jin-woo'," Cha said.
In addition to the webtoon production, South Korea is hosting the domestic debut of the musical "Frozen." The production brings the well-known winter-themed story to the stage to enhance the cooling atmosphere for audiences.
Director Woo Jin-ha, who was involved in the production, said that the initial focus of the premiere was on the spectacle. "The premiere focused on the show aspect," Woo said.
Both the ice show and the musical utilize the theme of winter and ice to attract crowds seeking respite from the summer heat. The integration of popular intellectual properties, such as the high-view webtoon and the Disney-based musical, is designed to maximize appeal across different demographics.
“The ice show is based on a popular webtoon that has reached 14.3 billion cumulative views.”
The use of ice-based entertainment during a heat wave reflects a strategic intersection of public health needs and commercial entertainment. By leveraging high-traffic intellectual properties and star athletes like Cha Joon-hwan, producers are turning climate-driven discomfort into a marketable event, effectively using 'cooling' as a primary draw for the domestic arts and sports sector.
