Inarguably one of the world’s best known jukebox musicals and one of the country’s most popular live stage productions, “Mamma Mia!” has returned to Seoul with its all-Korean cast.

One of the leading ladies belting out ABBA’s classic hits in this year’s production is popular Girls’ Generation starlet Seohyun who plays the role of the 20-year-old bride-to-be Sophie.

Girls’ Generation member Seohyun stars as Sophie in this year’s musical production of “Mamma Mia!” (Seensee Company)

“I did not want to be seen as a member of Girls’ Generation while taking part in this production, I wanted to be a part of this production as a musical actress and to learn from all of these veteran actors so that people can believe in my abilities as a stage actress,” said Seohyun, during a press rehearsal held at the Charlotte Theater in Seoul on Tuesday.

“This is what I have been working hard for,” she added. “Ten, twenty years down the line, I still hope to be performing on the stage as an actress.”

“Mamma Mia!” made its local debut in 2004 and has since become one of the nation’s most successful musicals. It tells the story of Sophie, who discovers that one of three men in her mother’s past could be her biological father. In hopes of finding her real father, she invites all three of them to her wedding, unbeknownst to her mother, Donna.

Girls’ Generation member Seohyun (left) and Choi Jung-won star in this year’s musical production of “Mamma Mia!” (Seensee Company)

“I always find it amazing and brilliant that ‘Mamma Mia!’ has had such a healthy life 17 years after it opened in London,” said the musical’s director Paul Garrington. “It continues to play in full houses ... so it’s nice to know we are doing something right.”

“One of the main things that I feel has really changed and that has changed so incredibly is the level and quality of the talent here,” Garrington added. He has been taking part in local musical productions in Seoul over the past decade.

Alongside Seohyun, this year’s production will also star musical acts Choi Jung-won, Jeon Soo-kyung, Lee Kyung-mee, Nam Kyeong-ju and Sung Ki-yoon.

“Mamma Mia!” will be staged daily (expect on Mondays) at the Charlotte Theater in Seoul until June 4. Ticket prices range from 60,000 won ($48.58) to 140,000 won. For more information, call 1588-5212.

By Julie Jackson (juliejackson@heraldcorp.com)