Performed as George in the musical ‘Kinky Boots’
Until October 23, Chungmu Art Center Grand Theater
In musicals, there are actors who reveal the situation of the lead actor or escalate the case. We pay attention to ensemble actors who make the musical stand out while adding vitality to the play with chorus or movement and movement. In Korea, there is a perception that ‘an actor who did not become a lead actor’, and we want to instill a correct perception of this.
A person who silently gives support and becomes a strength by his existence. He is usually soft and tender, but at important moments he is stronger and more responsible than anyone else. This is the appearance of ‘George’ in the musical ‘Kinky Boots’ made by actor Kim Yong-su. ‘George’ is the main character and a strong supporter of ‘Charlie’, the owner of a shoe factory. He is an employee of a shoe factory with Charlie’s father, MR. Price.
Kim Yong-soo will appear on stage in the role of ‘George’ in this fifth season following last season. He is still active in learning and development, and this character, which he created with his hard work, is even envied by other actors. So, he shows his affection for the character with a joke saying, “I have to protect the role of George well.” Such affection is also the secret to the creation of the ‘George of Kim Yong-soo’.
– Following the story of the musical ‘Kinky Boots’, you will be appearing again this year.
I was happy throughout the performance because I personally had many pleasant memories when I participated in the last season, but I am also looking forward to participating in this season as it will be full of fun and exciting things until the end of the performance.
-Are you playing the role of ‘George’ for two seasons in a row?
Yes, ‘George’ in ‘Kinky Boots’ is a strong supporter of ‘Charlie’. Although he may be weak, it can be said that he is a strong character who must say what he has to say. When analyzing ‘George’, I tried to be faithful to the script as much as possible, and tried to appear as a silent cheerleader behind ‘Charlie’.
-Are there any changes you made in expressing the role of ‘George’ in the previous season and this season?
Actually, there is no big change (laughs). However, I can tell you that this season, foreign director Jerry Mitchell came and listened to detailed explanations of the characters and put a lot of effort into making the characters a little more concrete.
– Charlie’s strong support and at the same time a spiritual support role. Among the factory workers, ‘George’ seems to have the greatest responsibility for the factory than anyone else.
Right. ‘George’ is a person who has seen and experienced Charlie’s childhood since he was the president of ‘MR.Price’, Charlie’s father. Most of the factory people are also like that. That’s why, in the beginning of the play, I tried my best to show ‘Charlie’, who will succeed his father and then the next factory, to do his best.
ⓒCJ ENM-I’m also curious about working with other actors.
First of all, the friends I participated in last season felt like a really comfortable family when we met this season. Also, the actors who participated for the first time this time naturally permeated the atmosphere together. I remember practicing while talking to each other a lot, both personally and acting. Actor Kwon Hong-seok, who plays the role of ‘MR. Price’, is the most attached actor in the dressing room. Being right next to each other, we tend to take care of each other a lot. I’m from the same era… haha.
-Are there any memorable anecdotes during practice or during a performance?
The most memorable part of this season’s practice was that original director Jerry Mitchell, who was unable to participate in the previous season due to Corona, participated in the practice. I learned a lot, such as passion and energy for my work. She was very surprised by the positive energy and sensibility she felt in her daily life as well. She said, ‘I wish I could age so nicely.’ Maybe we can meet again next time? (Laughs)
– What is the most difficult part of participating in the project?
I’m more concerned about external factors than the work itself. I am afraid that COVID-19 will rise again. I am concerned about what will happen if I do not hear the cheers and shouts of the audience like before. Can you get over it?
-What is your favorite number (or scene, line, etc.) and why?
By far my favorite number is the ‘Raise You Up’ scene. The song is the best, the lines are good, it gives courage and hope to many people, and everyone can be happy together… . 6 Steps to Be Happy! You can tell by watching the show. haha.
-Aside from the role of ‘George’, are there any other roles that you are coveting?
no! I’m really happy with ‘George’ now. Others seem to be coveting the role of ‘George’, so I think I have to protect it well (laughs).
-What is the charm of ‘Kinky Boots’ that actor Kim Yong-soo thinks?
Would you say that the charm of ‘Kinky Boots’ is ‘unique’? It has a unique charm that cannot be seen in other musicals. As a work, music that feels like you’ve heard it somewhere, unique material, unique character, and happy energy that the audience can relate to naturally and intensely?
-A word to the prospective audience of ‘Kinky Boots’.
If you want to liberate your mind after watching the performance, be sure to shout out!! That is the beginning of radiating happiness energy. I hope that watching the performance will give you a little comfort in your life.
ⓒCJ ENM– More than 10 years have passed since you debuted on the musical stage.
Despite his musical debut, he started acting as an actor in 1991. It has already been 20 years in front of us (laughs). Of course, the standards for a professional stage actor may be different, but personally, I think that starting an actor’s life starting with a performance at the Lotte World theme park was the first stage where I walked the path of an actor. It is because I think that the foundations that have maintained my ability as an actor until now have all been laid down at that time. After that, I also experienced the life of a staff member because I thought it would be necessary for my acting career.
The first major musical work started with a work called ‘Show Comedy’ (1996). What I remember the most was that the chemistry between the creative team and the actors at that time was very good. When choreographing the most famous numbers, I remember collecting the opinions of the entire creative team and actors to create a wonderful choreography that suited the play. It was truly each other’s creations.
-Did you originally dream of becoming a musical actor?
My original dream was to be an engineer. However, by chance, I started to walk the path of an actor and started with the mindset of ‘let’s not fall behind others’. I didn’t even know it was going to be this long. haha. Right now, I think it’s a heaven-given vocation, and I’m doing my best not to let go of the actor’s bond.
-While working as a musical actor for a long time, is there anything that has changed for you?
What has changed the most is that I feel that the colleagues I meet in the works are becoming more and more precious. More and more, I think that the production team, staff, and actors are all precious. Is it because I’m older? (Laughs)
-Are there any most memorable works or characters? reason too.
The most memorable work is ‘Broadway 42nd Street’. It is because it is the work that imprinted the actor Kim Yong-soo the most, and it is also the work that I am most attached to. Because I choreographed almost all the roles in this work, and even choreographed it for 6 seasons.
– Were there any difficult moments when you wanted to give up?
It’s a moment that all actors can feel at least once, but when they don’t express themselves well on stage as much as they imagined the role of a certain work, they say, ‘Ah! When I think, ‘Why can’t I do this?’, I really want to give up acting. Nevertheless, thanks to my family and colleagues, I think I have continued to stand on stage until now. Always by my side, cheering, helping, patting, whipping… . It is all thanks to them that I have been acting, singing, and dancing on stage until now.
– What was the moment when you felt that you were really good at becoming a musical actor?
I ran into the audience on the way home from work, and when he said, ‘I was so moved by the performance’, and ‘It gave me strength,’ I think I did well to become a real actor!
– Is there a work or character you would like to challenge in the future?
I do not know. I don’t want to limit myself to any particular work. I think it’s the duty of an actor to just faithfully do what is given and when the opportunity arises.
-If there is a goal you want to achieve as a musical actor in the future, please tell me.
If there is one big dream of mine, it is my big wish and dream to become an actor who remains on the stage for the longest time and a memorable one just like the seniors in front of me.
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