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| ▲This photo provided by Korean National Opera show photo of Kim Dong-wan practicing his role. (PHOTO NOT FOR SALE)(Yonhap) |
SEOUL April 5 (Yonhap) -- Former member of the group Shinhwa and singer-actor Kim Dong-wan (45) is making his debut on the opera stage. Despite having ventured into various genres such as dramas, movies, theater, and musicals since his idol debut, this marks his first foray into opera. He will be starring in the production of Britten's "A Midsummer Night's Dream," which will have its domestic premiere at the National Theater's Haeoreum Theater from November 11 to 14.
Based on Shakespeare's play of the same name, "A Midsummer Night's Dream" portrays the chaos that ensues after a love potion causes mischief upon those who encounter it, immediately upon awakening.
Kim Dong-wan takes on the role of Puck, a mischievous fairy who causes a commotion by mistakenly delivering the "love potion" while running errands for the fairy king Oberon. Depending on the production, Puck may only have lines without singing, a role that is sometimes taken on by actors rather than opera singers. Internationally, actors such as Jamie Laird Quarrell and Mareje Liggon have played the role of Puck.
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| ▲This photo provided by Korean National Opera show Kim Dong-wan practicing his role. (PHOTO NOT FOR SALE)(Yonhap) |
Accepting the Korean National Opera's "surprise casting" offer, Kim Dong-wan expressed his excitement in an interview with Yonhap News on November 4, saying, "As someone who has been consistently performing in musicals, I was more excited than hesitant because I know the fun and emotion of being on stage." He added, "I briefly worried about how I would handle singing, but since it's a role for acting, I felt reassured."
He further commented, "Although there is only one singing part, it's a humorous scene, so I'm doing it without any pressure," and revealed his efforts to maintain pitch and rhythm as a singer. He joked about the conductor's directive, "I'm striving to follow the conductor's instruction of 'Don't do it well' even as a singer myself."
While acknowledging that he may not be considered a remarkable actor, Kim emphasized his dedication as a comprehensive artist, saying, "I am striving diligently as a multi-talented artist."
Kim Dong-wan also expressed his special affection for the character of Puck, describing him as a fairy who does not fully understand "humanity" and repeatedly makes mistakes, adding to the amusement of the play. He expressed high expectations for the production, particularly appreciating the director's portrayal of Puck as a "mischievous character."
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| ▲This photo shows actor Kim Dong-wan. (Yonhap) |
Focusing on physical acting, Kim revealed his concentration on utilizing his body effectively. On stage, Puck performs alongside two male and female choreographers, moving together as if they were one.
He mentioned the challenge of delivering lines within orchestral performances, saying, "It's a big task to deliver lines amidst orchestral performances," expressing his difficulty in maintaining musicality without sounding like singing.
Despite the pressure of being the only "non-professional" among opera singers, Kim revealed his aspiration to contribute his talents to the production without disrupting the music. He expressed appreciation for the opportunity to collaborate with individuals dedicated to a single genre, acknowledging it as a valuable experience. However, he also emphasized the importance of not overestimating his abilities when working with experienced professionals.
Asked about future plans after this performance, Kim Dong-wan responded, "If it's not just singing, of course, I would like to appear in another opera," expressing his enthusiasm for further challenges.
He expressed admiration for the catharsis provided by classical performances, marveling at the preservation of the art form's value and form through the efforts of many people over hundreds of years.
Kim Dong-wan concluded by expressing his enjoyment of witnessing the harmony achieved by different opera singers during rehearsals and his goal of honing his skills through this experience. He reflected on his initial goal for the year, saying, "Instead of jumping across genres, I intended to focus on what I've been doing well so far and polish my skills a little more. But now, I find myself on a classical stage."
(END)
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| ▲This photo shows Kim Dong-wan. (Yonhap) |
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