The story of “Jamie”, a boy who wants to be a drag queen, takes place in Korea.
Responding to the press call for the musical “EVERYBODY’S TALKING ABOUT JAMIE” at the LG Art Center in Yeoksam-dong, Gangnam-gu on July 8 in Seoul, SHIM SEOLIN; musical director, KIM MOONJUNG; choreographer, LEE HYUNJUNG; actor and JO KWON, SHIN JOO-HYEOP, MJ of ASTRO, REN of NU’EST, CHOI JUNGWON and KIM SUNYOUNG were present.
“JAMIE” is based on the true story of the 2011 BBC documentary “Jamie: Drag Queen, 16” and has gained huge popularity in the West End. Many are touched by the development of “Jamie”, a special and confident 17-year-old high school student who finds his dreams and true self against the world’s prejudices.
Korea is also the first Asian country to perform “Jamie”. The eight-member live band highlights Jamie’s story and the impressive street dancing and dynamic choreography make the performance more entertaining. The cast is also spectacular. JO KWON, SHIN JOOHYEOP, MJ (ASTRO), REN (NU’EST), CHOI JUNGWON, and KIM SUNYOUNG play the roles of “Hugo” and YOON HEESEOK and CHOI HOJUNG give pleasure and impress.
First of all, they successfully completed their first performance last week. JO KWON said, “I finished my first performance with the success of the four limbs of Jamie. I was happy throughout the practice. I even think that I can do such a happy performance again in my life.” “I would like to thank the audience for coming to the concert hall in this difficult situation,” SHIN said. “I think I was able to put on a powerful and energetic performance meeting them,” he continued. “I hope you’ll come to watch it.” ASTRO’s MJ and NU’EST’s REN, who are making their first musical debut with “Jamie,” also completed their debut performance successfully. “We were excited and nervous about our first musical challenge, but with the help of many seniors and staff, we finished our first performance well,” they said.
“Jamie,” which was also a hot topic in the UK, also premiered in Korea. In particular, idol singers who debuted in musicals for the first time won the title role. In response, director SHIM SEOLIN said, “What was important about casting the character ‘Jamie’ was the brilliant transmission of the child’s courage.” The key was not only to dance, sing and tell the story but to transmit the childhood. “I thought MJ and REN would do well in this regard, and JO KWON and SHIN JOOHYEOP also expressed it well, and the four friends are really cute and pretty,” she said.
The four “Jamie” also showed unusual performances at auditions. JO KWON said, “I was in the military at the time of the audition. But when I heard about the audition for ‘Jamie,’ I thought I would regret it forever if I missed it. I prepared for the audition in the army but we don’t have to go to bed at 10 p.m. My inner dance was really exciting so I memorized the lyrics and lines at night.” “I didn’t even have a mirror, so I prepared for the audition by looking at my reflection in the coffee maker. I went to audition and stayed out all night. I wanted to impress the judges, so I put on my heels home in my military bag and did my best to audition.” he said. “This performance is so precious and dreamlike. My prayer seems to have come true. I will do my best with passion and sincerity.”
SHIN JOOHYEOP said, “I saw the audition announcement in January and searched YouTube for what it was. I thought it was a fun musical with a variety of dances, songs, and dramas. The first time, I remember the auditions wearing thick makeup, and the high heels I bought in Itaewon. As expected, the people I met liked this performance. The audience also seemed to like the performance very much.“
ASTRO’s MJ said, “A lot of people helped me a lot, so I had fun practicing. I wanted to energize many people while preparing for the comedy. When I first met “Jamie” times, I was able to appreciate it because I was a student. But reading the script, the message was new, so I wondered what kind of character would come out when I voiced it.” “I wanted to be immersed in this role and challenge myself. After the group practice, I stayed alone and sent videos to audition. I hope you will like ‘Jamie’ very much.”
“I always wanted to show a lot of my talents, but I was frustrated because I didn’t have the opportunity. I thought a lot about how to make myself known to many people” he said. he continued, “but I thought I could give you some good energy with this performance.” “When I saw the synopsis for ‘Jamie’, I thought that was really my story. It occurred to me that the process of growing up in the boy’s life was very similar to mine. I want to play a positive role in giving a lot of people hope, so I challenged myself to do ‘Jamie'” he concluded.
CHOI JUNGWON, who plays “Margaret”, Jamie’s mother, was acting as a single mother when she took part in the musical “Mamma Mia!”. “I remember practicing ‘Jamie’ continuously crying and having fun,” she said. “I am especially happy to be with my four sons. I laugh and cry happily because of my four sons who are so different. I want to thank them,” she continued. “I can’t explain it in detail, but the four are really different,” said KIM SUNYOUNG. “Among the lyrics to ‘Hiss My Boy’ is a lyric called ‘Pure and Good Son’. That’s how the four are together,” he said, congratulating the four “Jamies”.
But then, how might the actors who played “Jamie,” which is based on a drag queen who can build consensus with anyone, feel? JO KWON said, “The biggest thing I personally felt doing Jamie was that I learned to find myself. While working as an artist for 32 years, I thought I couldn’t not satisfy everyone in the world. I thought Jamie’s courage to leave without looking at others was magnificent. I hope his confidence, happiness, love, and equality will be delivered well.”
SHIN JUHYEOP said, “I was very grateful to have played the role of ‘Jamie’. The ‘Because I Am Me’ part touched my heart. Jamie and I have some similarities in some ways, so I gain strength by playing Jamie. Even on a difficult day, I can gain strength by playing Jamie himself. I want to give the audience a lot of energy and energy”. REN said, “I was able to do one step closer to being able to express myself while I was doing Jamie. It was a time when I could express myself a lot and study. I looked back to who I am,” he said. “I hope the audience will have courage and get my message.”
MJ said, “I was able to challenge myself as a singer because I had the courage and the help of people around me,” and added, “I usually don’t express my heart well, but I hope to be able to express my feelings to others through this work. I hope this will be the time for many people to achieve their dreams and gain courage.”
The musical “Jamie” will be performed at the LG Arts Center from July 4 to September 11.
Journalist: Pillet Anaïs
Translator: Anaïs
Source: KSTATION TV, EMK Music
