Official poster of Korean musical “Elisabeth,” starring K-pop idol Xia Junsu of JYJ (EMK Musical Company)
Whether it’s Girls’ Generation’s Jessica in “Legally Blonde,” 2PM’s Jun.K and SHINee’s Key in the “Three Musketeers” or JYJ’s Xia Junsu in “Elisabeth,” K-pop stars have been flooding the Korean musical scene for the past few years, and it appears to be a trend that is not going to die out anytime soon.
Although many musical production companies seem to be banking on K-pop’s tremendous fandom in hopes of boosting ticket sales, a night starring a K-pop idol heavyweight does not necessarily guarantee a musical’s success. Many K-pop stars have been criticized for their lack of acting ability and skills in live musical singing, which is a far cry from the pre-recordings and partial lip-synching of K-pop concerts.
“Musical productions are continuously going on these star hunts because they think they need these big names to promote their show,” said music critic Im Jin-mo. “But as we all know, singing these sort of ‘hook’ K-pop songs and singing in a live musical are two very different things.”
“I think with Xia Junsu as the exception, these K-pop stars do not thrive as well in musicals,” Im continued. “Sure they are big stars and they draw in a lot of their K-pop fan base, but until they learn the true vocabulary of musicals, the quality of the production itself will just lack in quality.”
K-pop is infamous for having passionately dedicated fans and this often means that certain musicals are able to reach and appeal to a much wider, younger audience ― both international fans and those not originally interested in musicals.
“One good thing about having a famous idol star in a musical lineup is that it does attract a wider audience; so some people who were normally not that interested in the musical scene now seem to be gaining some interest,” Im explained. “However, we should also consider the problems that it is causing classically trained musical actors.”
Im argues that although more often than not many professional musical actors are better suited, it has not gotten to the point where they must compete against popular K-pop stars for leading roles. But, the inclusion of K-pop stars in a cast can sometimes mean stealing the spotlight from the classically trained musical performers who don’t possess the idols’ star power and large fan-base.
Credit: Korea Herald
Shared by: JYJ3
Whoot! Junsu for the win! I guess he really is that much better then, well, almost everyone else.
Cheryl: I guess he really is that much better then, well, almost everyone else.
Me: He is better than everyone else.
What?! I’m not shy…… coz that’s a FACT! *proud!*
lol~ *hugzie*
so true!!!
always proud of my dolphin ❤
It is just right that JUNSU is the exemption of all these. we must not forget that among the KPOP artists, JUNSU is the number one voted by vocal trainors in South Korea. that for having a very stable voice. and I think JUNSU’s education is somewhat related to musical like the MA that he is pursuing now.
Is that true that Junsu is pursuing magister ? In which university, and since when may i know?
if I’m not mistaken his major is related to musical (can’t remember the name of the major)
Min Youngki and Junsu enrolled at the same time
I remember Junsu posted a picture with his college peer
https://jyj3.net/2012/11/13/twitter-121114-junsu-twitter-updates/
WOOH! This is so true. Go Junsu! ❤
i cant agree more. this is what i think. so agree!
It is however incorrect that international audiences are not drawn to musical incorrect musicals are a huge business all over the world Chicago, New York, Boston, Philadelphia and many more cities boast sold out plays. I know for a fact a lot of people like to go to plays in Korea due to the cost can be cheaper their and the plays are much more elaborate. So Junsu vocals in a musical would be a win win who else can bolt out a lyric and be heard above all others with a failed mike. Some people are born to take the stage Junsu was that person lyrically fit to mold to any character… Love it and when I look at Junsu stage presence he reminds me of Barbara Streisand someone who commands you with their skill… having to stop because to me Junsu will set a precedence every young person will want to follow.
@greyfox I so, so, very much love this on point part of your statement:
“Some people are born to take the stage Junsu was that person lyrically fit to mold to any character… Love it and when I look at Junsu stage presence he reminds me of Barbara Streisand someone who commands you with their skill… having to stop because to me Junsu will set a precedence every young person will want to follow.”
international audiences aren’t drawn to musicals in korea. when idol stars are in the picture you have those from neighboring countries and even western countries that come and see the production. when most people come to korea, unless they’re a musical junkie, they don’t go to see a musical. in a place like NY, even if you don’t care for musicals, most people would like to go and see one just to see a show on broadway. that is a major difference tbh.
Well I know some of both musical junkies and non musical junkies as I communicate with a worldwide church and friends as I work for a international company so I am dead on when people travel they love to take in dinner shows and theater the common show are musicals. I know some Americans who went to Korea to teach and that is how they fell in love with musicals… He did not know one star from another he said he fell in love with the raw emotion given and the dead on vocals.
I dont know much about other musicals but Junsu’s musical have same price range as American musicals. Average ticket price is 89USD and VIP ticket is of 120USD
Not just Junsu but musicals in general his cost so much because he has proven himself.
Junsu success in musical is his hard work, dedication and passion for music. If you want to excel in an art you must love that and he love his work.His passion for music is clearly visible and he always want to improve eventhough he excels in it. As Selvester Levay said ‘he assimilate to the character naturally’. He has a great acting ability that is why he deliver great performance as Mozart and Tod.His impersonate to a character is highly commendable. His acting is of world class comparing to German version of Elizabeth he gave equivalent performance. Lot of people want to see him drama and so on but i want him to act on art films rather than main stream. In future i wish to see him as a great artist becoz he is capable of that. I wish him great success to all his projects.
@ greyfox, @ fresiya ra
I agree with each word you have said plus let us also not forget that first of all, unlike most other idols, JYJ don’t lipsync so they have the prowess and confidence to step out on stage and belt out their piece; secondly, they don’t just jump around the stage, but they actually act whatever they sing – this is especially obvious to those of us who do not understand the language – the expression on their face, the look of their eyes, the tears they shed, their body movement – they all act out the meaning of the song and thirdly, “Fallen Leaves” which Xia Junsu composed could very easily fit any musical, which shows that he has the aptitude needed for musicals. Being multi-talented and working very hard to further develop their talents without relying on anybody, is what sets JUNSU and JYJ apart from all the rest.
I cannot wait to see the next role he picks I am so excited just thinking about it.
Even though I have never seen Junsu perform in a musical or period live. From all the fan cams I have seen I can definitely say I feel Junsu is a very gifted musical artists. I love this statement in the article “I think with Xia Junsu as the exception, these K-pop stars do not thrive as well in musicals,” . Junsu is definitely the exception, he is a very gifted musical artists. I feel he shines because he is gifted, passionate, and loves musical deeply. He does not rest on his fame as a Kpop artists. He is really passionate about musicals and this is why he continuously works hard to improve on his craft. His hard work shows in his presence and delivery on the stage, he commands the stage in an outstanding way! I hope he continues to shine brighter and brighter in all his musical performance and everything he does!!!
I very much like and endorse what you have said : )
@anna-liza p.m. thank you!
Yes Flower I cannot wait until we can sit in on a audience while he pours out his soul to the waiting crowd as he becomes his character.
@greyfox yes I hope one day I can be in the audience and witness his amazing performance in a musical!
There are people who say Junsu is successful in musicals only because of his large fan base. I guess to a certain extent yes, and so have many of the other idol singers-turned-musical actors who also have sell-out shows. But few have received the kind of recognition from the industry professionals like Junsu has, and it was unheard of for idol stars to receive a Best Musical Actor award until Junsu did in 2012 for Elizabeth. And yet he continues to maintain a humble heart and a deep thirst for constantly learning and challenging himself. Continue to fly high Junsu, we’re behind you all the way.
love your comment 🙂
Junsu’s hard work and sincerity in everything he do touched people’s heart
that what set him apart among others
he didn’t choose musical because he chase the fame
he truly love what he do, the fame and money are just bonus
and musical gave him a chance to shine on stage when others turn their back on him
I’m truly grateful to those who were brave enough and chose Junsu in Mozart
it gave him a new start, a new spirit and encouragement to be where he is right now
my dolphin, I’m right beside you
let’s go through this together ❤
Yes, Junsu FTW!
junsu amazing.
ehehe.. I’m just proud ^o^
Im jin-mo: “I think with Xia Junsu as the exception, these K-pop stars do not thrive as well in musicals,”
This should be noted by those who dare comparing their idols to mine who is also Levay’ s favourite prodigy hehehe
Xiahpress has a thread of compiling Junsu’s musical reviews. It’s overwhelming….
I flew 8 hours from Jakarta to see Junsu’s December Musical last and I would do it again if I had the chance…he’s that worthy!!!
You go girl and I cannot wait to fly from Chicago, Il to Korea to see him.. He is that worthy.
@greyfox
You should make the efforts to attend at least one of his performance. I guarantee you, it’ll be worth it.
His live concert and his musical has different appeals. In both musical and concert, he could play with our emotion using his voice. Instantly, tears are flowing from sad songs, or laughs at his words that I didn’t even understand just because he smiled when saying them. In concert, we are more freely in expression. My feet automatically jumped in excitement from dance songs haha. I could feel the pain later.
Then suddenly 2 hours is over too soon and you want to experience them all over again. Sigh…he will make you addicted to him.
I watched Taran concert in Jakarta (lucky us Indonesians), Incredible concert in Bkk and I was very lucky to get a chance to watch December and Xia Ballad vol 2 concert with a fellow xiahpwa friend last year. But the thirst is still there and I become greedy because of the addiction to hear him live.
I hope chance to watch jyj live will come too, and soon. Hope the chance will come to you too 🙂
@dolphinxiah
last year, i prayed that I would have been able to watch Junsu in a musical at least once in my life. lucky me, I got that chance by watching Elisabeth. Just like you said, it was worth it. so thrilled to know that there’s a fellow Indonesian watching Elisabeth, too 🙂 who knows we even watched at the same day? ^^
Junsu always amazing and hard working. It’s not just his talent that makes him successful in the musical industry but his hard work and dedication and genuine love for the media. Hope to one day see him performing in a musical.
It is sad but true that Kpop-idol-turned-musical-actor is ruining some people who trained their whole life for musical industry. I have friends in HS that were really into musical and even then they compete each other rigorously. They will practice everyday of the week for the musical. This dedication is not something you can just do on the side as kpop idol where they have other schedule to handle.
but at the same time, acting world is also being taken over by kpop idols. Korean society is so into their idol (their CF are majority using an idol) that they can replace anyone in the entertainment field (acting, musical, etc.)
Junsu have been improving in each musical and even made a song ’11am'(?) with musical element in it. Which I am happy that he looks at musical so respectfully and enjoy the field too 🙂