Musical Actor Park Dances Night Away for Months

˝I want the audience to remember the musical `Saturday Night Fever` rather than actor Park Gun-hyung. What comes first is the work I am in.˝

The musical `Saturday Night Fever` will mark its one hundredth stage on July 19. Actors have been having disco parties for more than four months since the debut of the play. Based on the same-titled movie, the musical is about a story of young love and dreams in the 1970s.

Through the musical, in particular, young-generation musical actor Park Gun-hyung has begun to steal the spotlight. The 1.83 meter-tall good-looking actor is catching the eyes of the female audience, with his dancing skills that overwhelm the stage. A shy smile is also his charm.

Park said, however, that the work comes ahead of actors. And those who have seen him working hard for the musical will understand what he means. He used to weigh up to 85kg before the play, but now he is only 71kg.

˝I always thought I was a poor dancer. That is why I applied for the role in the first place, to overcome my complex.˝ The dancing king, in fact, was born after months of hard training. He still practices late at night alone after others are gone.

While Tony is a king of nightclubs in the musical, Park used to like open bars better than nightclubs. ˝People who knew me before the musical find me as Tony a little strange.˝

At first, Tony was played by two other actors. Since early June, however, it has been all his. It must not be easy, given all the dances he does on stage. Now, he even visits acupuncture therapist. When he gets on stage, however, he forgets all the pain and becomes passionate Tony again.

˝I believe that a good actor must keep the passion and nervousness he felt on his first stage. I will never forget these feelings I now have even when I become an experienced actor. It is sad that you grow too familiar with stage to feel nervous.˝

He sounds mature, but he is in fact full of dreams and ambitions as a young actor. ˝I would like to do whatever I can, TV and movies as well as musicals.˝ Park smiled as he said he would be able to find which is better for him while trying.

The musical will be staged at LG Art Center through August 23. At 8:00 p.m. on Tuesday through Friday, 4:00 p.m. on Saturday, 8:00 p.m. on Sunday and 3:00 and 7:00 p.m. on holidays. Tickets sell for 25,000 won to 80,000 won. For more information, call 02-501-7888

Sung-Won Joo swon@donga.com