Thank you @wooeongkc and @doori_burn on twitter for the full scan of the magazine ๐๐
Q. The performance is just around the corner. We bet you're still doing practices.
๐ถ I had a fun practice session today as well. The seniors were giving feedbacks so well so I'm learning dilligently. I'm always grateful to everyone for being so nice and for keeping a close eye on my shortcomings.
Q. You debuted at the theater-type live sitcom <ON AIRโThe Secret Contract>. How did you become interested in musicals?
๐ถ I remembered that I obscurely thought of wanting to try acting ever since I debuted (as VICTON). And I got the opportunity to do this musical piece <ON AIRโThe Secret Contract>. Though I was still lacking, but it was a fun first time acting experience for me. It's a memory and challenge that I'll never ever forget. I naturally gained a lot more interest in musical because of this piece.
Q. What motivates you to join the musical <I Loved You>?
๐ถ After I was done with <On AirโThe Secret Contract> it was good enough to suggest that I wanted to try conventional drama/musical. But I really didn't know that I got a chance to be on stage again this fast. My luck is pretty amazing, right? Because I really want to do it so I'm feeling happy right now. Since it's another challenge for me so it excites me.
Q. Is there any musical that left a strong impression to you? Do you have any musical actors that you like?
๐ถ Unfortunately, there hasn't been a chance where I can watch a musical at a concert hall with my very own eyes. But I've been watching a lot of videos of it so I know some. And among those, the musical that left the strongest impression for me are musical <Chicago> and <The Man Who Laughs>. What can I say about <Chicago> that's still having a worldwide tour... I think it's an art. I liked it because it seemed to be a colorful and complex entertainment genre, not only the songs, but also visually. As for <The Man Who Laughs>, I searched for it because of a senior that I admire, that is Park Hyoshin. I thought he only sang the songs really well because he's a singer, but when I saw him performing perfectly in the musical, I thought he was amazing. So I thought a lot about how much I want to be like Park Hyoshin.
Q. We heard the news that the casts for musical <I Loved You> met not long ago. I'm sure you've thought like 'ah, I've become a musical actor' since you're between the seniors that's like superstars. You just realized that. Can you briefly share your thoughts after the meeting?
๐ถ At first, to be doing this musical with major seniors really made me nervous. I was wondering if I was in the right place... But the more I see them, the more friendly they become. Since this is my first time in the musical, they let me know bit by bit and now I'm really enjoying my time in the practice room. The production team, the director, seniors, they are all taking care of us (newbies) well that we can't help but to continue to work hard (smiles).
Q. What kind of piece is the musical <I Loved You>? You are playing as Yoon Gicheol in this musical, we are also curious as to what kind of character is Yoon Gicheol.
๐ถ It's a piece that combines delicate lyrics and deep love emotions that will touch your heart. This is the reenactment of the piece after its premiere in 2019, so compared to the premiere version, there are a little bit of change in the character's personality and also in the situations that I know of.
Yoon Gicheol is a business student who's a music-lover that puts love aside and bets everything for his life. He's a person who looks like a cute younger brother but at the same time he's more reliable than anyone else. So you will be able to see the cuteness and toughness together in his character.
Q. There are 4 other actors who are playing the same role as you. Do you talk to each other a lot?
๐ถ Of course. We talk almost everyday. It's the same Gicheol, but the feeling is different depending on who's currently in charge of that role. When I'm in charge, the other actors would ask why I did it like that and they would share their opinions and also the emotions to me. I'm always listening in a position as a learner, so it certainly helped me understand the flow of the emotions a lot.
Q. Do you have any similarities with the role you're playing as?
๐ถ First of all, the difference is that Gicheol is really manly. From the way he speaks, the way he expresses things, and I don't think I have those sides so I'm worried. For the similarities (Though it's embarrassing for me to say it with my own mouth) I think it's the maturity. It's the side where I'm considerate about the others and also listening to them well.
Q. This is your second time acting on stage. If you can comment on your own acting, what would you like to comment?
๐ถ Since I really like watching movies, so I think I naturally have interest in acting as well. My acting is still far from perfect, and I'm not good at doing it while singing either. But the more I learn, the more charming I think I am. I'm currently learning how to deliver the lines naturally and accurately even to the audiences at the back seat. For example, I have to keep saying the lines as 'Gicheol' but there's one moment where I would become 'Kang Seungsik'. Even though it's difficult, but I'm learning it diligently because it's a homework I have to overcome. It's an acting that is unlike dramas and movies where you are in a frame, if I imagine myself act on stage with audiences in front of me... The realization hasn't hit me yet. I think I will be extremely nervous, but I'm also really excited to meet the audiences as soon as possible.
Q. This musical piece started off with a masterpiece from the late singer Kim Hyunsik. Do you know Kim Hyunsik's songs?
๐ถ I know some of the hit songs like <๋น์ฒ๋ผ ์์
์ฒ๋ผ> but as I'm doing the musical, there are a lot more songs that I got to know. At first I had a hard time understanding and interpreting the song, but the production team told me a lot about Kim Hyunsik, also about how the situation was like at that time. As I keep on singing the song, I get to know why the song was receiving so many loves for a long time. Now, even when it's not my number/song to sing, I keep humming it when I'm alone. I also sing along to other person's number/song.
Q. A musical that is like a Jukebox, among the songs <๋น์ค๋ ๋ ์ ์์ฑํ> <์ฌํผํ์ง ๋ง์์> <์ฌ๋ํ์ด์> etc, which song/number is Actor Kang Seungsik's favorite?
๐ถ For me personally, I really like the song called <๋ฐ๋์ธ ์ค ์์๋๋ฐ>. It's Gicheol's feeling. I thought the situation and the atmosphere fits really well when I sing it.
Q. Popular Music and Musical Music are all about Vocalization. There are also other parts such as the vocal range. What are your personal difficulties when you're practicing for the musical?
๐ถ I'll always worry about having to sing in a different vocalization as to when I sing pop songs. Honestly, it's really difficult. (Smiles). For Pop Songs, first of all it needs to be easy to listen to, so you will be able to listen to it for a long time. But for Musical Songs, they need to be delivered well, starting from the lyrics, until the meaning of the song itself. At first, I was really embarrassed about this part. I couldn't concentrate because I was really shy. But even with the fun atmosphere, the practice was really serious. Everyone were putting their hearts and souls into it. It's all because of the Seniors that built the atmosphere that I can fall even more deeper into my role. Now I feel great because the time it takes to be immersed in my role as 'Gicheol' has really shorten.
Q. It looks like the <VICTON's Main Vocal> title really helps you a lot. How is it?
๐ถ Isn't it because of the <VICTON's Main Vocal> title that I get the chance to play this great of a musical piece? (Smiles). I think it's because of the wide range vocal that I have, it also helps in the musical as well.
Q. Who helps you a lot when you're doing this musical piece?
๐ถ I can't just specifically name one person because I received help from all of the seniors. They gave me advices and feedbacks. Though I'm still lacking, but I think I'm slowly getting better now.
Q. Now you have done two musical pieces, what do you think is Musical's charm?
๐ถ With the fact that I can show you my singing and acting, all the while you'll be able to see how everything is being produced, it's an enjoyable whole gift set for the eyes, ears, and also heart.
Q. It's exactly one month left before the performance. How do you feel?
๐ถ I think the worry is still bigger than the nervousness. But I will work hard to turn my worries into tension, and tension into confidence in the remaining one month.
Q. Who do you want to invite to your first performance?
๐ถ I want to invite Yoo Jaepil hyung, the one who previously worked with me in <On AirโThe Secret Contract>. Because he gives me honest feedbacks (smiles). I also want to invite VICTON members. I certainly gain a lot of strength if my members are there. Also not only on the first performance, I want to invite my parents. Because I thought a lot about how my parents will really like the songs in this musical.
Q. A word for the fans who are waiting for Actor Kang Seungsik's <I Loved You>!
๐ถ I once again got this amazing opportunity. I'm always thankful for the support and love you gave me. Through this musical <I Loved You> I'll do great and I will meet and make great memories with you as Yoon Gicheol. You'll probably meet the Seungsik you've never met before. So please anticipate it!
Translations by KSEUNGSLK
Inaccuracies/grammatical error might occur.