"The Bodyguard," a musical adaptation of the eponymous movie starring the late singer Whitney Houston, will get a Korean premiere next year in a production by local entertainment giant CJ E&M, the company said Thursday.

The West End musical, featuring Houston's hits, is one of three shows the Seoul-based company will present in 2016, along with an original musical based on Victor Hugo's novel "L'Homme Qui Rit (The Man Who Laughs)" and a revival of Broadway jukebox show "Kinky Boots." 


CJ E&M had acquired the performing rights to "The Bodyguard" early on by investing in the production of its premiere on the West End in 2012, it said in a press release. The show will open at Seoul’s LG Art Center at the end of 2016.

"L'Homme Qui Rit" will be the first large-scale musical production created through CJ's "Creator Lab," a system that allows writers and directors in the musical field to share ideas and develop a show together.

Pianist, singer-songwriter and film music composer Jung Jae-hyung -- who gained popularity through his appearances on variety show "Infinite Challenge" -- will be participating as well, making his first foray into the musical genre.

By Rumy Doo (bigbird@heraldcorp.com)