Not only do K-pop idols use their skills for music videos and concerts, but they also showcase them in the world of theater.
Lots of K-pop idols have ventured into the Kdrama industry, but also on the musical theater stage. Here are 10 standout idols who have seamlessly transitioned from the world of pop to the spotlight of musical acting, captivating audiences with their ever-applaudable performances.
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Girls’ Generation’s Tiffany Young
Tiffany is a member of the girl group Girls’ Generation. She is a singer, songwriter, TV host, and actress. In 2011 she made her debut in theater where she played the role of Carmen Diaz in the musical Fame. The role of Carmen Diaz is described as being a sexy, sassy, and confident dancer. Tiffany has no problem with that because her confidence is always on another level, and it shows every time she performs.
In 2021, Tiffany is part of the cast of the South Korean production of the musical Chicago. She plays Roxie Hart, one of the main characters of the play. Sensee, the production company shares that she won the role after beating the odds of 200 to one.
When she got the role of Roxie Hart, Tiffany said;
“Roxie Hart has always been the role of my dreams and it’s an honor to play her in ‘Chicago’ that celebrates its 21st anniversary.”
Super Junior’s Kyuhyun
Cho Kyuhyun is the youngest member of the boy group Super Junior. Besides his time with the group and a TV host, he also made a name for himself as a musical theater actor.
Kyuhyun’s roles are as D’Artagnan in The Three Musketeers, Don Kelly in Singing in the Rain, Prince Philip in Robin Hood, Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart in Mozart!, with his most recent role being Judah Ben-Hur in Ben-Hur.
With D’Artagnan being his debut role, Kyuhyun said;
“I am nervous to sing and act in front of so many people, but I will kick off my new musical career by doing my best.”
SEVENTEEN’s DK
Lee Seokmin also known as DK is a member of the boy group SEVENTEEN. In 2019, he made his theater debut as King Arthur in Xcalibur, a role he continued to play in 2021. This is his only musical theater credit so far.
In a statement, he shares his preparation for vocal lessons for over a year before his stage debut, he said:
“I like musicals and am impressed by the energy of actors on stage and how they convey emotions in songs,”
“It’s my first work and I’m very excited to be with the world’s best staff and great seniors’ It’s not an easy challenge but it’s a great honor to have a great opportunity to do Xcalibur.”
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BTOB’s Changsub
Lee Chang-sub, from the boy group BTOB, made his musical theater debut in the 2017 production of Boys over Flowers. He continues in that same year with roles in Napoleon and the titular role in Edgar Allan Poe. Before his military enlistment in 2018, he played King Louis XIV in Iron Mask.
In 2021, he made a comeback with The Last Empress, Marie Antoinette, and Darwin Young’s Origin of Evil.
Changsub’s latest role is Han Min-woo in Winter Wanderer. For his last performance, he received a standing ovation.
He shares his thoughts through his agency Fantagio stating:
“It was an honor to meet the character ‘Han Minwoo.’ I believe no other work has suited the word ‘winter’ as well as this one, and it’s a production that will come to mind every winter. I am grateful for the love ‘Winter Wanderer’ has received and would like to thank the fans and audience members who visited the show despite the cold weather.”
MAMAMOO’s Solar
Kim Yong-sun also known as Solar from the girl group MAMAMOO is relatively new as one of the Kpop idols venturing into the musical theater stage. She lands the titular role in Mata Hari along with Lee Changsub.
For her role, Solar received acclaimed reviews, with many pointing out her overall stage presence during the play.
Her latest role is Esmeralda in Notre-Dame de Paris.
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f(x)’s Luna
Next on our list of Kpop idols shining brightly on the musical stage is Park Sun-Young or Luna. She is best known for her time with the girl group f(x). Besides that, she has a great track record in the world of theater. In 2011, she portrayed Elle Woods, the lead character in Legally Blonde. Her other roles are Gabriella Montez in High School Musical on Stage!, Scarlett O’Hara (previously portrayed by Seohyun) in Gone with the Wind, and Sophie in Mamma Mia!
Luna’s musical theater career does not just stop in South Korea. In 2022, she portrayed MwE in KPOP. This role marks her first time performing on Broadway.
Speaking about her character MwE, Luna says:
“Developing the character was sometimes a bit traumatic,”
“I had to go back into my own life and sometimes bring back past memories that have been triggering.”
“How did I as Luna persevere through these many obstacles that you face being a K-pop idol? And how did MwE also persevere through them? How much of the negative and positive side of being a K-pop star should I be able to express, and what is that balance?”
She adds despite the challenges it “Ultimately, developing the character has given me a type of healing,”
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Super Junior’s Ryeowook
Like his fellow Super Junior member Kyuhyun, Ryeowook also dips his toes into the world of theater. He debuted as Jung Tae-sung in Temptation of Wolves back in 2011. In 2013, he played Troy Bolton opposite to Luna’s Gabriella Montez in High School Musical on Stage!. In 2014, he played Ryu Sun-ho in The Goddess Is Watching.
While comparing his time as an idol to a musical actor, Ryeowook says:
“It’s like comparing pizza to fried chicken. They are both tasty, but they have distinct flavors,”
“When I am performing as Super Junior, I am the youngest and I enjoy working with my group. In theater, I feel responsible as I represent Super Junior, but it also brings inexplicable joy,”
“At least this is certain — I want to try more musical roles.”
His latest role as a musical actor is Jung Se-hun in the 2022 production of Fan Letter.
EXO’s Suho
Perhaps best known as the trusted leader of the SM Entertainment boy group EXO, Suho is a singer-songwriter, and actor in television, movies, and of course in theater. His theater roles are all lead roles, debuting in the Holographic musical School OZ in 2015. His other roles are in The Last Kiss, The Man Who Laughs, and the titular character in Mozart!.
For his performances which garnered praise throughout, fans and viewers often dub him as “Theater King”.
JYJ’s Junsu
Junsu can be considered a veteran in the musical theater scene with his long list of performances and roles. He debuted as the titular character in Mozart! in 2010, subsequently playing the same role in its different production runs. For his third run in Dracula back in 2020, that same year is also his 10th anniversary as a musical actor. He shows no signs of stopping performing on the theater stage.
For his dedication and commitment to the craft Junsu still gives his all, he says:
“Whether I wanted it or not, I was in a situation [that made me] more desperate for musicals, so I tried hard to give my all to musicals.”
NU’EST’s Ren
Most famously known as a member of NU’EST, Ren is a singer, actor, television personality and of course, a musical actor. Making his debut as Jamie in Everybody’s Talking About Jamie in 2020, his other projects include Bungee Jumping of Their Own and Winter Wanderer.
In 2021, he took the role of the titular character in Hedwig and the Angry Inch, where he played a genderqueer rock singer. A different role than what usually male K-pop idols who do musical theater take on.
One of his most recent roles is D’Artagnan in The Three Musketeers which started in 2022.
These K-Pop idols who show their talents in the world of musical theater prove that it is a great way to add more variety and diversity to their already great careers.
Sources: The Korea Herald, TIME, The Korea Times, JoongAng Daily Co., Ltd., NME, EMK, Instagram
