Disney Casts A Korean Beauty and Her Beast

“People were saying that I was perfect for the beast role when I was selected. But I was confused whether that meant I was fit for a beast or a prince. Some even said that I don’t need to wear make up when I’m playing the beast, but need some make up when I’m playing the prince.”

Disney musical “Beauty and the Beast” opens at the LG Art Center in Seoul on August 8 for five months. We met Hyun Gwang-won, who was selected to play the beast in the audition for “Beauty and the Beast.” He has big laughs and good jokes. We also met Cho Jung-eun, who was picked to play the character of “Belle.” She was just like an animation character who is full of curiosity, purity, and innocence. We met and interviewed them at a restaurant in Junggu.

--Dreaming of a musical

Hyun was an actor in various operas in Italy for 10 years, including “La Traviata,” and for the last six months, he traveled between Seoul and Rome frequently for auditions. When he applied for a role in “Beauty and the Beast” from Rome, the production company in Seoul, Seol & Co., felt he was overqualified. After he won the audition, he left his wife and daughter behind in Rome and returned to Seoul alone.

Cho Jung-eun, cast as the lead role in “Beauty and the Beast,” is a member of the same class as fellow acting notables Eric, Lee Ji-hoon, and Kangta, who are all seniors in Donguk University’s Theater and Film program. She was often told she resembles Chang Shin-young, a TV talent, but she never thought of becoming one. She always dreamed of becoming a musical actress ever since she learned singing in high school from Nahm Gyeong-eup, a musical actor. This will be her fourth appearance in musicals after roles in “Storm,” “Romeo and Juliet,” and “The Sorrow of Young Werther.” She was selected from 500 audition hopefuls, giving a birth to a new Cinderella.

--An easygoing Beast and a cheerful Beauty

The images of a stern Beast and a cold Beauty were broken during the interview. Hyun made all present laugh by imitating the designer of his suit for the interview, Andre Kim, saying, “Every beauty is a Cinderella!”

“I always sing trots when I go to Noraebang (singing rooms) and feel awkward singing in classical vocal tones,” said Hyun. “The tone should be changed according to different genres or dramas, and I won’t stick to just the classical tone in this musical.”

Cho is a new generation actress who is full of curiosity. During the audition, she asked, “Why do the beauty and the beast read King Arthur in the musical when they read Romeo and Juliet in the animation?” Also when she made a mistake in the high notes in the singing test, she apologized aloud, saying, “sorry” after abruptly stopping.

Disney acknowledged those characteristics of hers and selected her as the final winner of the audition. “If you make a mistake in an audition in Korea, you should just pack your stuff up and go home,” said Cho. “But they answered all the contestants’ questions and created a very comfortable environment.”

--A five-month journey

Both actors will perform for five months without the benefit of any double casting. The beast has to perform in a costume that weighs around nine kilograms and a tail 6.4 meters long. He has to jump up stairs and perform other athletic feats in his costume as well. Belle also has to wear a 15-kilogram dress when dancing a waltz. The thing that concerns them both the most is their physical strength.

The official rehearsals start in June. In response to the question, “Why don’t they start earlier?” a production spokesperson said, “If we follow the schedule properly, two months is enough. We did so in 20 other countries.”

When asked how she takes care of her vocal chords, Cho answered, “Going to bed early is the secret,” a secret of any other beauty. Hyun said “I eat raw eggs often, but not for my vocal chords, but because they are good for hangovers,” revealing his beastly side.

Seung-Hoon Cheon raphy@donga.com