Choi Yoo-jung Takes Center Stage in Her First Musical Lead Role in '42nd Street'

Choi Yoo-jung, known for her journey from survival programs to being a member of girl groups, has shared her thoughts and determination as she takes on her first lead role in a musical.

On the afternoon of the 24th, a press call for the musical '42nd Street' was held at the Charlotte Theater in Jamsil, Seoul. The event was attended by Park Kalin, Park Gun-hyung, Choi Hyun-joo, Yoon Gong-joo, Jang Ji-hoo, Yoo Nak-won, Choi Yoo-jung, Ki Se-jung, Jeon Soo-kyung, and Baek Joo-hee, who shared various insights about the production.

Set against the backdrop of Broadway in New York during the Great Depression of the 1930s, '42nd Street' is renowned for its traditional show musical stage setup and tap dance performances. The show is a spectacle of dazzling stages and grand ensemble tap dance numbers.

Choi Yoo-jung, who rose to fame through Mnet's 'Produce 101' and as a member of I.O.I and Weki Meki, takes on the role of Peggy Sawyer in '42nd Street'.

When Choi debuted with I.O.I, she captured the public's attention with her cute image. Now, nearly a decade into her career, she is still often described as cute, even as audiences are impressed by her tap dance skills.

Reflecting on this, Choi said, "I made my musical debut last year with 'Hero', and being involved from rehearsals to performances made me realize how incredible it is to present a musical to an audience." She added, "I wanted to grow and contribute more, so when the opportunity to play Peggy Sawyer came, I put a lot into it."

She continued, "While audiences say I'm cute, there are also those who view me positively, which gives me confidence on stage." She expressed her hopes, saying, "I want to overcome and research so that I can match the image audiences desire and change the current image they see. I hope they continue to support me as I work on this."