Spreading Excellence of Korean Musical in Japan

“I feel like a patriot since this is my first overseas performance. I’ve got to show them the excellence of Korean musical.”

This is what actress Kim Sun-Kyung (picture) says, before taking domestically produced German musical `Gambler` on a 40-day tour through 13 Japanese cities, including Tokyo, from May 18. She is to play the role of `strong woman`, who has gone through life’s ups and downs with the background as a fancy showgirl.

“Countess is the charming character that commands and controls showgirls. Although the role’s importance is not too big, wouldn’t the `excellent supporting character` be the one that shines more?”

`Gambler` combines casino-people who challenge the probability of one in millions, betrayal and love of sexy showgirls, and former `Alan Parsons Project` member Eric Wolfson’s dynamic music into one show. Japanese performance agency, `Minon`, is to invest a total amount of 3 billion won to produce local performances.

A Japanese performance authority watched Gambler’s demonstration at Seoul’s Mt.Nam national theater Haeorum Theater on the 9th, and said, “It’s a great musical, in which musical talents of performers like Hur Joon-Ho, Joo Won-Sung, Nam Kyung-Ju, Choi Jung-Won, and Kim Sun-Kyung, really stick out.”

Kim Sun-Kyung had been involved with many musicals since last fall. While displaying innocent images in `Sufferings of Yong Werther (Die Leiden des jungern Werthers)` and `Roman Holiday`, she also showed surprising images of even partial nudity in `Rocky Horror Show` and `Cabaret`.

“There are contrary opinions that say `princess has depraved` or `spectrum of performance has widened`. But I believe a real actor should be able to act out both princess and prostitute.”

Kim Sun-Kyung has made her debut in 1989 in KBS1’s `There Is No Tragedy`. However, she now wants to be remembered as a musical performer or movie actress. That is why she appeared in the recent movie, `Turn On The Lighter`, playing the role of a wife that tames a gangster (Cha Seung-Won) with words, and in `H` as a psychologist.

“Whenever opportunities come, I’ve got to act for musicals and movies, because I am an actress. Of course, I select the works that can bring out my style and character.”

Kim Sun-Kyung is dreaming of being `a lovely actress that has warm heart`. Her age turned 35 this year, and she said she wants to marry a man who can understand her well. She, however, was so confident to say, “People say that I look much younger than my age.”

Tae-Hun Hwang beetlez@donga.com