Choi Yoo-jung Shines in '42nd Street' Musical, Embracing Her Multi-Talented Journey

"I love dancing, singing, and acting so much, and I'm incredibly happy these days to be able to give energy to the audience with everything I can do."

Singer and actress Choi Yoo-jung shared these sentiments during an interview with TenAsia at the Charlotte Theater in Jamsil, Seoul, on the 6th. She spoke about her mindset while performing in the musical '42nd Street.' Choi Yoo-jung plays the role of 'Peggy Sawyer,' a character who rises from an unknown to a star. She expressed her joy, saying, "I'm happy every day to greet the audience with a character that can deliver great energy and messages."

The musical '42nd Street,' in which she is passionately performing, is set in the Broadway of New York during the Great Depression of the 1930s. It is renowned for its traditional show musical stage setup and tap dance performances, with its dazzling stage and large ensemble dance numbers being the highlights.

Choi Yoo-jung ventured into the musical genre in June last year with 'Hero.' Initially, she found the dark and quiet atmosphere below the stage daunting, but within a year, she has grown into someone who enjoys being on stage. "I still get nervous, but I think I've come to enjoy the dark air before the performance starts to some extent."

Choi Yoo-jung, known for her dance skills, first gained public attention for her singing and expressive acting during the Mnet survival program 'Produce 101' in 2016. Within a year of entering the musical field, she has become deeply immersed in a genre where all three skills are crucial. She said, "All the settings and music empower me to showcase my dance, singing, and acting on stage. The lighting makes it impossible not to immerse myself in the character, which is what makes musicals so attractive."

Her deepened affection for the craft is evident in her dedication to practice. Her character, Peggy Sawyer, boasts impressive tap dance skills. To fully embody the character, Choi Yoo-jung consistently attends rehearsals from 10 AM to 10 PM. With a foot size of 220mm, practicing for 12 hours has led her to seek medical attention. She shared, "I've had to visit the hospital due to knee and ankle pain," adding, "I developed calluses on all ten toes, which initially made me think, 'What is this?' but now they feel like a badge of honor, proof of my hard work."

"There are times when I feel exhausted. But seeing my skills improve is addictive. Musicals have a captivating charm. The sense of accomplishment from executing tap sounds and movements is immense, relieving stress and comforting my heart, allowing me to practice for long hours."

Since meeting audiences from the 10th of last month, Choi Yoo-jung will conclude her four-month journey with a performance in Busan on October 19th. Despite the potential exhaustion from performing tap dance for 120 minutes in a single show, she stated, "If I rest, my stamina drops. I try not to rest completely so that I can maintain Peggy Sawyer's movements for the stage."

As her love for being a musical actress grows, so do her concerns, particularly about her 'image.' Choi Yoo-jung confessed, "I've often thought about how to present a slightly different vibe from my idol days. Even with the same cool concept, I worried about my unique image." She continued, "I thought it would resolve as I aged, but the change is slow, so now I wonder, 'What expression should I use to look less young when acting?'"

"I'm focusing on using expressions well. Since musicals involve a lot of physical movements, I'm researching how to express those parts maturely. I want to grow and take on roles with different colors in the future."

Choi Yoo-jung expressed her desire to showcase the strengths of her image by meeting an extremely cute and lovable character, saying, "I want to make the synergy pop and further imprint the image of being lovable." Her mature mindset embraces her unique vibe as an asset rather than a drawback.

Currently, Choi Yoo-jung resembles her character Peggy Sawyer. She expressed her ambition to try every role suitable for her age, dreaming of becoming a 'multi-artist.' During breaks from productions, she works on songwriting and practices instruments, stating, "If I want to do both musical acting and singing, I have to excel in both," signaling her growth as an artist and a musical actress.

Nine years ago, Choi Yoo-jung ranked third in a competition with 101 trainees, leading to her time in the girl groups I.O.I and Weki Meki. Now, she opens a new chapter as a musical actress. She expressed her wish to become an actress who can be sought after without worry, explaining, "Watching senior actors deliver lines while considering the audience's response makes me think, 'How happy must the audience be to go home after such an exchange?' I want to make every step and moment of coming to see our performance worthwhile."

"I'm just continuing to do what I love, and I'm so grateful to those who support me. I want to keep growing and become an artist who provides positive influence and energy."