Ok Ju-hyun ‘dolls’ up after singing contest

Star-studded musical ‘Guys and Dolls’ promises charm


She was not all tense as she seemed to be on the recent MBC TV show “I Am a Singer,” better known as “Nagasu,” which had her mired in controversies until she was finally eliminated last week.

Instead, Ok Ju-hyun seemed to be right at home on Wednesday at the press call for “Guys and Dolls,” held at LG Art Center in Yeoksam-dong, southern Seoul.

“The nine weeks with Nagasu was a time I could fully be a singer, and I did my best. But this (the musical) is not an easy job and it could have interfered with the musical if I hung in longer in the TV show. I was very tired juggling too many things at once. It is fortunate that I was strong enough not to break down,” said Ok who plays Adelaide in the musical. 

It has been about seven years already since the former 1990s girl group Fin.K.L. member debuted on the musical stage with “Aida,” amid criticisms that it was no place for idol stars. Ok, however, proved them wrong. She became one of the most in-demand musical actresses equally acclaimed by critics and fans. Now musicals get the spotlight whenever she “chooses” them. “I chose this musical first because I love classics and also because of the director. Director Lee Ji-na is famous for giving actors and actresses harsh training which really turns them into something, and I was all geared up to cry my eyes out,” said Ok.

Another important standard when selecting a musical is how deeply the songs touch her heart, she said, but this one she chose even though it does not have many numbers and is rather like a play.

“My first impression of Adelaide was that she is a lovely girl, someone of an ingenuous beauty. But Adelaide this time is more mature and rather like an ajumma (middle aged woman) dating a younger man. It was not easy to understand and become the character,” said Ok. She is sharing the part with musical actress Kim Young-ju.

The musical’s basic story line is the same as the original one ― a romantic comedy depicting love and passion of gambler guys (Nathan and Sky), a show girl (Adelaide) and a missionary (Sarah) in New York 1929. The biggest difference of this year’s show compared to previous versions, however, is that Nathan is younger than his fiance, Adelaide.

“The characters were loved before because they were lovely, and in 2011 we needed something new to have them loved again. So we changed Nathan’s age, considering that many guys are younger than their girls today,” said Lee Ji-na, director of the musical.

Ok is not the only star in the star-studded show. Jin Ku, an actor known for his impressive filmography including “Mother” and “Moby Dick,” is making his musical debut through this work by sharing the role of Nathan with musical actor Lee Yul. Lee Yong-woo, dancer-turned-actor known for his act in SBS drama “Style” and Kim Mu-yeol, an award-winning musical star, are double cast for Sky.

Despite her continued and successful career in musicals, Ok emphasized that she is primarily a singer and always will be.

“As you know, I started out as a singer. Nagasu was a good opportunity for me to find a compromise with my company so that I could express the singer in me. I am planning to release a new album in autumn,” said Ok.

The musical runs through Sept. 18 at LG Art Center in Yeoksam-dong, southern Seoul. Tickets range from 50,000 won to 130,000 won. For more information, call (02) 2005-0114 or visit www.guysanddolls.co.kr.

By Park Min-young  (claire@heraldcorp.com)