The musical 'Girlfriend' is a stage adaptation by playwright and composer Todd Almond, based on the album of the same name by Matthew Sweet. Set in the 1990s, it captures the time of two youths on the brink of graduation and growth. The performance was filled with excitement and anticipation, receiving a warm response from the audience.
This particular performance was especially significant as it marked Na Sang-do's debut as a musical actor.
On stage, Na Sang-do delivered a convincing portrayal of the character 'Mike' with his stable vocal skills and natural acting. In particular, the scene where Will and Mike share their inner thoughts was highlighted by his delicate expression of the deepening emotions between the two characters, enhancing the audience's immersion.
With his strong and refreshing vocals and stable expressiveness, he led the flow of the play, completing the character's emotions with rich facial expressions and interactions.
In the middle of the performance, the scene where he exchanged witty banter with Kim Jae-han, who played Will, drew laughter and applause from the audience. In the latter part and during the curtain call, he descended into the audience, engaging them actively and elevating the performance's energy to its peak with lively numbers, leaving a lasting impression.
Through this production, Na Sang-do has expanded his artistic spectrum beyond his singing career, proving his potential as a stage actor. Despite it being his first musical challenge and debut stage, he showcased stable acting and stage presence, raising expectations for his future endeavors.
Na Sang-do debuted in 2017 with the single 'Stand Up' and gained recognition by finishing fourth in TV Chosun's 'Mr. Trot 2'. He has showcased a variety of trot songs such as 'Kok Kok Kok' and 'Mother', and is actively working as a DJ on BTN Radio's 'Quenam Yeoljeon'.
Additionally, since the 30th of last month, he has been participating as a regular panelist on the newly revamped KBS 1TV's 'Morning Yard', and is set to perform as Mike in the musical 'Girlfriend' from May 31 to June 7.
Meanwhile, the musical 'Girlfriend', featuring Na Sang-do, is being performed at the Baekam Art Hall from May 31 to June 7, with tickets available through NOL Ticket.
Ryu Ye-ji, Ten Asia Reporter ryuperstar@tenasia.co.kr