Kim Junsu Takes on a New Challenge with 'Beetlejuice' Musical

"Every project has been a challenge, and I've always approached them with intensity. Yet, people often say, 'He just picks the right projects.' With 'Beetlejuice,' I wanted to prove that Kim Junsu can handle even this kind of role."

Kim Junsu recently sat down for an interview at a café in Gangnam, Seoul, to discuss the musical 'Beetlejuice' (directed by Matt DiCarlo and Sim Seol-in). 'Beetlejuice' is based on the 1988 film 'Beetlejuice' directed by Tim Burton. In the musical, Kim takes on the role of Beetlejuice, a ghost trapped between the living and the dead for 100 billion years, striving to prove his existence.

For Kim Junsu, 'Beetlejuice' marks his first foray into the black comedy genre in his 16-year musical career. He shared, "People around me say, 'Why not just keep choosing well-received projects?' but that's not my nature. If I settle, I don't find life enjoyable," explaining his decision to take on something new.

He also candidly addressed past misunderstandings. "I believe that by attempting roles that didn't suit me, I've become who I am today," he said. "But after every project, people would say, 'It's not because his range is broad; he just picks what he's good at.' That always upset me." He continued, "This time, I wanted to hear, 'Kim Junsu can do this genre too?'"

'Beetlejuice' is characterized by its fast-paced numbers and rap-like dialogues. Kim Junsu immersed himself in the character by learning each line in a way that resonated with him. He explained, "The dialogue is so fast that I focus on making it as clear as possible. During rehearsals, I approached monologues as if I were explaining them to myself, slowly building them up."

"There were times I thought, 'Why did I agree to this?' because of the sheer volume of lines and the fast tempo. But I kept reminding myself, 'Let's overcome this; it'll get better.' In the end, I'm glad I took the leap."

On stage, Kim Junsu interacts with the audience through ad-libs as Beetlejuice. While there's a risk of disrupting the character's essence, he believes, "There hasn't been a character that reacts directly to audience feedback on stage. Ad-libs that could break the flow are possible because it's Beetlejuice." He added, "The character's innocence allows for humor, and the audience seems to accept it naturally."

The production is also known for its elaborate stage design and special effects. Kim noted, "Unexpected situations can arise, but Beetlejuice's 'so what?' attitude gives me confidence to handle surprises naturally." He added, "Even mistakes can lead to bigger laughs when I playfully respond to the audience. Nowadays, I almost feel disappointed if there are no mistakes."

As 'Beetlejuice,' which opened last December, nears its end, Kim Junsu reflects on his journey. "Initially, I worried about how to return to the script if ad-libs went off track, but now I feel more relaxed," he said. "There's more spontaneous interaction with the audience, creating a stronger synergy between the stage and the seats."

"In the past, I found catharsis through singing, but now, hearing the audience laugh is incredibly rewarding. While I appreciated seeing tears during sad scenes, in 'Beetlejuice,' seeing smiling faces brings me even greater satisfaction."

Kim Junsu hopes for one thing from the audience: "I want them to laugh heartily and leave feeling light-hearted." He added, "Some even take time off work to see the show. I'm grateful for that, and if I can make them laugh, there's nothing more fulfilling as an actor."

"I felt that if I could tackle this project, no role would intimidate me. I've crafted Beetlejuice in my own way. Meeting a new genre and breaking character molds, this project is a significant turning point for me."

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