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| yna@yna.co.kr 2026-10-22 10:01:56
SEOUL, Oct. 21 (Yonhap) -- "This was the biggest challenge I've ever taken on during my career as an actor. I want to tell myself, 'You did well,' for overcoming my fear and completing a musical. Singing is so much fun that I plan to practice more and take on new challenges."
Actor Cho Byeong-kyu, who recently made his musical debut with "Opera," described his first foray into the genre as "a choice I don't regret, although I was left with many regrets over my shortcomings."
In an interview with Yonhap News Agency in Seoul's Gangnam district on Tuesday, Cho said, "I poured everything I had into this production to the point of becoming exhausted," adding, "It was a challenge through which I felt both my limitations and the fruits of my efforts."
His first musical, "Opera," had its premiere at Ewha Womans University's Samsung Hall in Seoul from Oct. 1-18. The production depicts the passion, friendship, desires and conflicts of French King Louis XIV, playwright Moliere and composer Jean-Baptiste Lully as they work together to create art while pursuing their respective goals. Cho shared the role of Louis XIV with actor Moon Tae-yoo, portraying the dignity of a king at the height of absolute monarchy as well as his loneliness and trauma beneath the surface.
Although Cho studied acting in high school and college and has built a career across television, film and theater, singing was almost entirely new territory for him.
"I've always been a big fan of director Choo Jung-hwa's work, and I decided to join because I liked the character of Louis XIV and the synopsis," Cho said. "But I ended up falling in love with the appeal of singing and music. I could understand why musicals are loved by so many people."
"I thought singing would make acting difficult, but after actually doing it, I found that singing could instead amplify my acting. For example, when I sang the opening number 'Prologue' at the end of Act 1, there was a scene in which Louis XIV is genuinely happy while creating works of art with his colleagues and begins to find his strength again. The surging bass melody and ensemble choreography made it easier for me to bring out those emotions."
Cho said he received a great deal of help with singing from Baek In-tae, who played Lully, and singer Yoo Seul-gi, who is a member of the duo Duetto with Baek.
"With their advice, I learned how to protect my voice and use vocal techniques suited to musicals. When my seniors told me to 'sing as if the sound is coming from your hips,' I spent a lot of time thinking about what that meant, but at some point I understood it that way and found myself imitating them," he said with a laugh.
Although it was his first attempt at singing, Cho said he became so enamored with it that he put considerable effort into improving.
"I bought everything that was supposed to be good for my throat," he said. "Even when I occasionally had drinks planned, I didn't drink alcohol, and I made sure to eat all three meals every day for the sake of singing."
"Maybe because it was my first challenge, but I was extremely hungry every time a performance ended. Even though I ate, I became skin and bones," he said with a laugh. "I didn't realize musicals were this demanding."
Despite those efforts, Cho said, "I couldn't help but feel my shortcomings and limitations while working alongside highly accomplished musical theater actors," and gave himself a score of 50 out of 100 for his performance.
"There's a number called 'Beyond That Wall' that Baek In-tae sings in the show. It's a difficult song that sustains notes in a range that's hard for men to sing for a long time. It's so impressive, but I think it's still difficult for me, so I've set myself the goal of mastering this song. If I keep taking it on with a challenging spirit, won't I grow?"
Cho said, however, that the reactions from those around him were better than he had expected. He said veteran musical actor Yoo Jun-sang, who appeared with him in the drama "The Uncanny Counter," also encouraged him.
"At first, Jun-sang hyung said he was 'worried,' but after watching the performance, he said, 'Let's do a musical together next time.' He's not someone who lies, so I was really happy."
Director Choo Jung-hwa, whom Cho had long admired, also encouraged him by telling him to "make use of your strength in acting and try singing as if you were acting."
"After the performance, the music director told me, 'It was good because your acting and singing came together,' and I was moved to tears," Cho said. "I'm actually known for not crying much, but I burst into tears during the curtain call at the final performance, which left my fans bewildered. It really was a huge challenge."
Cho said he has received many offers for other productions since "Opera."
"The director of 'The Uncanny Counter' told me that 'The Stolen Book,' which he wrote, was going to be adapted into a musical, but unfortunately I couldn't do it," Cho said. "There are so many productions I want to do, including 'The Stolen Book.' Next time, I'd like to take on a musical with lots of exciting numbers."
"Personally, I really like the songs from 'Sweeney Todd,' so I'd like to appear in that production. A stage director also told me that I'd suit 'Hedwig.' I want to improve my singing skills and take on those challenges."
Cho, who has pursued his dream of becoming an actor without taking a break, plans to enlist in the military at the end of this year. He said the time would give him an opportunity to "think about what direction I want to take while being away from acting."
"Since I was 16, I had dreamed of becoming the lead in a drama and devoted all my efforts to that goal. But after achieving that dream much earlier than I expected, I lost my sense of purpose and didn't know what I wanted to do anymore. I struggled a lot to find myself by taking on various projects, including independent films and plays."
"I poured everything I had into the musical without any regrets, so I think spending time away from acting and living diligently as a soldier will give me an opportunity to put myself to the test as an actor," he added.
"I owe a great debt to everyone involved in 'Opera.' I'm grateful to everyone who worked on the production with me and to the fans who waited for me after every musical performance," Cho said.
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