(TOM) Q1. First, for those who might not have had a chance to enjoy the musical, do tell us the storyline of the musical “Marie Curie.”
(KIM) Q2. I see. Hearing the plot makes me want to see it myself.
You portrayed Marie Curie during the 2020 run in Seoul, from the very start, and so the musical’s West End debut must be all the more special for you. How do you feel about it, and what significance does it hold for you?
(TOM) Q3. I can feel how proud you must have felt at that time. I would like to know how the West End audience has received “Marie Curie” as well. How are the locals reacting to the Korean musical?
(KIM) Q4. Good to hear. If I am correct, you took part in a gala concert designed to promote “Marie Curie” in London. You must have been able to get a sense of the atmosphere yourself. How was it?
(TOM) Q5. Let’s delve a bit deeper into what made the musical so successful. The Marie Curie musical tells the life story of the globally renowned, Nobel-prize-winning scientist and her groundbreaking discoveries. As the playwright, what factors, do you think, set the musical up for a long-term run on the West End?
(EXTRA/TOM) Q6. May I ask what your main priorities were when adapting the musical to English, to make sure it’s engaging and resonates with both Korean and English-speaking audiences?
(KIM) Q7. The musical was previously well received in Japan, and was even invited to the Music Gardens Festival in 2022 in Warsaw, the birthplace of scientist Marie Curie, where it was awarded the grand prize. What aspects of the musical do you believe captured international audiences?
(KIM) Q8. Until now our focus has been on Marie Curie, but now I’d like to broaden the scope of our discussion.
More Korean musicals are expanding beyond Asia, making their mark on the global stage. To name one notable example, a Korean production of “The Great Gatsby” hit New York’s Broadway Theatre earlier this year and received many awards. How do you perceive this trend, and what factors do you believe are driving Korean musicals to gain wider global recognition?
(TOM) Q9. What is your overall assessment of Korean musicals and the K-musical industry as a whole? How is it doing?
(KIM) Q10. I wonder how Korean musical actors are doing. Since you were the first Asian cast member of the Broadway musical “Sister Act” in 2017 and took part in the musical’s Asia tour, you must know well. How are Korean musical actors doing in the global musical industry?
(BOTH) Q11. What efforts still need to be made to expedite the global reach of Korean musicals even further?
We surely hope more Korean musicals and actors can receive recognition globally, as we are already witnessing now.
Thank you Tom, and thank you Sophie for your time and insights.
We really appreciate it.
Source : Arirang TV, https://www.arirang.com/news/view?id=272559
Arirang TV(public institution's name)'s public work is used according to KOGL