Ivy says Broadway debut feels like being an exchange student in her 20s

▲ Musical actress Ivy speaks at a press conference held at the Korean American Association of New York in Manhattan, New York, on Aug. 12, 2026 (local time), set to make her Broadway debut. (Yonhap)

SEOUL, Aug. 13 (Yonhap) -- Musical theater actress Ivy, 44, said Wednesday that she feels as though she has returned to her early 20s as she prepares to make her Broadway debut next week.

Ivy shared her thoughts on joining the Broadway production of "Chicago" during a press conference held Tuesday at the Korean American Association of New York in Manhattan.

She will play the lead role of Roxie Hart in "Chicago" at the Ambassador Theatre in New York from Aug. 17 to Sept. 6.

"I've performed in thousands of musicals in Korea, but walking the streets of New York makes me feel like an exchange student who came here to learn English," Ivy said. "I feel like I've gone back to my early 20s, when I was a newcomer who knew nothing."

Ivy also joked that she had brought a water purifier from Korea to save on living expenses after hearing about New York's notoriously high cost of living, laughing as she described herself as "a poor exchange student."

Set in 1920s Chicago, the musical follows criminals Velma Kelly and Roxie Hart as they pursue fame as performers. The Broadway production has been staged more than 12,000 times over three decades.

Ivy is a seasoned Roxie Hart, having first appeared in the Korean licensed production of "Chicago" in 2012 and performed the role nearly 600 times across six seasons through 2024.

The Broadway production's website has introduced Ivy as a "K-pop star and actress" while announcing her casting as Roxie Hart.

Ivy said the Broadway opportunity came at a time when she had grown tired of her work as a musical actress and was beginning to lose motivation.

"In a way, this opportunity came when I was becoming tired of being a musical actress and losing motivation," she said. "It made me realize once again that I should never give up on dreams and hope until the day I die."

She identified communication as the biggest challenge in making the move to Broadway.

"I can only manage simple greetings in English, and communication still isn't easy," she said. "But I think my English is gradually improving simply by confronting things directly without an interpreter."

Ivy said many Broadway actors appear to have strong physical skills, noting that many seem to have ballet or dance training as a foundation and take meticulous care of their bodies.

She also noted differences in audience atmosphere between Korea and Broadway.

"Korean audiences tend to watch performances attentively and cautiously, whereas Broadway attracts many tourists, so there is more of a feeling that people have come to enjoy themselves as if they were at a party," she said.

Calling "Chicago" the production she has performed for the longest and a personally cherished "career-defining work," Ivy said she hopes to bring out Roxie's appeal so that audiences can emotionally connect with and relate to the character even through her English dialogue.

Ivy also expressed hope that her Broadway debut would help open more doors for Korean and other Asian actors.

"I was grateful that not only Korean American actors but the entire Asian American actor community welcomed and supported me after hearing about my Broadway debut," she said. "I hope my challenge will open more doors of opportunity for Korean and Asian actors."