Musical Actor Kai Reveals Rigorous Self-Care Routine Amidst 'Phantom' 10th Anniversary

Musical actor Kai has revealed the extensive efforts he puts into his daily self-care routine.

Since October 31, Kai has been starring in the musical 'Phantom,' and on the 12th of last month, he met with reporters in Gangnam, Seoul, to share his thoughts on the 10th anniversary of 'Phantom,' a production he has been part of since its premiere.

'Phantom' is a musical based on Gaston Leroux's novel 'The Phantom of the Opera.' Unlike Andrew Lloyd Webber's musical of the same name, this version was created by playwright Arthur Kopit and composer Maury Yeston. It premiered in 1991 and was first introduced in Korea in 2015. Kai has been with 'Phantom' from its premiere to this 10th-anniversary performance, excluding the revival.

In the musical, Kai plays the role of the Phantom, a character with a genius for music who hides beneath the Paris Opera House due to his disfigured appearance.

Kai recently appeared on the MBC variety show 'I Live Alone' on the 16th of last month, showcasing his meticulous self-care habits. He stated, "I always want to give my best to my work, and even if people don't notice, I want to be someone who is always prepared. I don't want to look back with regret as an actor, so I do my best to manage my condition, stamina, and both internal and external aspects."

When asked about his vocal care routine, Kai mentioned, "During the filming of 'I Live Alone,' the production team asked me about my secret to self-care, and I said, 'Not much.' But when they visited my home, they were surprised and asked, 'What is all this?'"

Kai continued, "It wasn't shown much on the broadcast, but I have 6-7 humidifiers, 3-4 air purifiers, and 2-3 air sterilizers at home," which surprised those present.

He added, "I never considered these as special care routines; I just lived this way for my condition. I thought all actors lived like this, but I realized I might have been overdoing it."

Despite his efforts, Kai admitted that he is not immune to catching colds, saying, "A cold is scarier than anything else. I've noticed that sleep has a growing impact on my singing, so I try to sleep a lot both day and night. Fortunately, I fall asleep quickly, which is an advantage."

By Dayeon Jeong, TenAsia Reporter light@tenasia.co.kr