Kim Sun-young Discusses the Complexity and Impact of Musical 'Lempicka'

Actress Kim Sun-young addressed the mixed reviews of the musical 'Lempicka', stating, "If it felt complex, then it's actually a success," and added, "Ultimately, this work tells the story of our current selves, so it should resonate."

In an interview held at a café in Samcheong-dong, Jongno-gu, Seoul on the morning of the 16th, Kim Sun-young shared her thoughts on the musical 'Lempicka' and her character.

'Lempicka' is a production that portrays the life of the real-life figure Tamara de Lempicka, who maintained her artistic identity amidst the Russian Revolution and World Wars. It captures Tamara's journey of finding her artistic self, having started painting for survival.

As it is the Asian premiere, extensive research on the production was essential. Kim Sun-young, who plays Tamara de Lempicka, said, "Since she was a real painter, I first looked up a lot of paintings and materials," and added, "I tried to build the character while reviewing the script and music together."

Understanding the character was not easy. Kim Sun-young explained, "I had a lot of concerns about how to approach it," and added, "The Tamara I saw in the materials was close to someone fighting for survival." She continued, "On stage, such a journey might leave only the question, 'So what is this character telling us?' I thought a bit of embellishment was necessary to add persuasiveness to why Tamara had to live that way."

The Tamara she saw was not a simple character. Kim Sun-young noted, "Some view Tamara as contradictory, but while her tastes and artistic world are clear, her heart isn't purely innocent," and added, "Seeing her sell her work and brand herself, she didn't seem to possess just the attitude of an artist." She continued, "As a woman who lived through that era, she is a very complex character," and added, "I am still exploring how to convincingly convey such a character to the audience during performances."

The production centers on the relationship between Tamara and her muse and same-sex lover, Rafaela. This includes kissing scenes, bed scenes, and explicit dialogues, leading some audience members to question, "Is it really suitable for ages 14 and up?"

Kim Sun-young was aware of these reactions. She admitted, "I was worried about how it would be received," and confessed, "The moment Tamara's homosexual side awakens was not easy for me either." However, she interpreted, "Tamara's attraction to Rafaela might not have been just a simple emotion," and added, "Through Rafaela, she could paint more, which she might have thought would eventually lead to her fame and survival."

Regarding the viewing suitability, she mentioned, "There were discussions during rehearsals about whether adjustments were needed," but added, "The director wanted the audience to directly feel why Tamara acts the way she does, which led to the current form."

Nevertheless, Kim Sun-young found the point where the production poses questions to the audience meaningful. She said, "These days, performances often provide answers, but I wondered if audiences always want clear answers," and added, "I also preferred works with clear messages, but while doing 'Lempicka', I felt that works that pose questions are also necessary."

She continued, "Tamara is a character who survived as a female artist of that era by creating an image of herself," and added, "Perhaps we are similar now. I hope that instead of taking away something clear from this work, audiences can empathize."

Kim Sun-young also expressed trust in the production's directorial completeness. She said, "'Lempicka' leaves questions about the character itself, but it has the power to keep you following until the end," and added, "The dynamic music, lighting, and set support it well, so as an actor, I have confidence. Thanks to that, I can focus more on acting."

Finally, she shared, "The production is becoming more solid than during rehearsals," and added, "If 'Lempicka' is well completed, I think it could leave a good mark when it is staged again in the future."

Reporter Dayeon Jeong, Ten Asia light@tenasia.co.kr