Yang Joon-mo is often said to be one of the best musical actors when it comes to singing. Last year he was both the narrator and director of the opera Rita (2014). He majored in vocal music, and obviously knows opera well. On top of that, his witty personality allowed him to breathe life into this comic chamber opera. Rita had its encore this year, as well.
News of actor Park Hee-soon’s becoming a director was hot this summer. He started his acting career in small theaters in Daehangno, and the musical Perpetual Motion, which is an adaptation of a webtoon by cartoonist Ju Ho-min, was the first show he directed. Composer Lee Ji-hye said she suggested that Park direct the musical because she saw how he devoted himself to his craft, not only as an actor, but also as a staff member. The musical depicts in a comic, yet moving way how young people in Korea are going through harsh times but haven’t lost hope.
Why is it that a lot of actors challenge themselves by directing plays and musicals? In Korea, musicals have only recently become popular and there’s a shortage of directors. Thus, production companies are more than happy to hire actors, who already have extensive stage experience, as directors. The fact that famous, experienced directors in the Korean musical scene used to work as musical actors in the past demonstrates how the industry has a rather positive attitude towards actors turned directors.
Most importantly, directors who have years of experience on stage understand both how to create natural performances and how to guide actors. Of course, they sometimes focus too heavily on shaping their actors, and some lack knowledge about stage design or technical matters, but that’s what designers and technicians are for. It may be that these directors came from smaller theaters where elaborate technical effects are of less importance. At any rate, it seems likely that this trend in the industry will continue, and we’ll be able to share in the triumphs and tragedies of these directors.
By Jo Yong-shin(Theater director and columnist)
By Jo Yong-shin(Theater director and columnist)
