<Performance Review> Kim Sung-cheol, who willingly drank the 'poisoned chalice', perfectly embodies 'Jekyll and Hyde'
※ This article contains spoilers for 'Jekyll and Hyde'.
Musical actor Kim Sung-cheol willingly drank the 'poisoned chalice'. And he proved his abilities by perfectly embodying the role.
The musical 'Jekyll and Hyde', which opened on November 29, is based on the 1886 British novel 'Strange Case of Dr Jekyll and Mr Hyde', dealing with the themes of 'good and evil, and the duality of human nature' expressed through 'Jekyll' and 'Hyde'. Since its first Korean production in 2004, it has surpassed 1.8 million cumulative audience members over the past 20 years, firmly establishing itself as a best-selling and steady-selling musical, truly a 'box office top' production.
In particular, 'Jekyll and Hyde' is considered a dream stage for musical actors. Powerful ticket-selling actors like Jo Seung-woo and Hong Kwang-ho have passed through 'Jekyll and Hyde'. While it is a dream for actors, it is also like a 'poisoned chalice'. To satisfy the audience's sky-high expectations, they must show performances that surpass the legacy built by their seniors.
Kim Sung-cheol has joined the cast of 'Jekyll/Hyde' as a new cast member in the 'poisoned chalice' of 'Jekyll and Hyde'. A graduate of the Korea National University of Arts, he debuted in the musical 'Adolescence' in 2014 and has proven himself to be a versatile artist capable of performing in various genres, including film, drama, theater, and musicals. His new challenge is 'Jekyll and Hyde'.
Kim Sung-cheol delicately expressed the inner turmoil of Dr. Jekyll, announcing the start of 'Jekyll and Hyde'. At the engagement ceremony with Emma, he unexpectedly made the audience laugh with his playful performance. In the show's signature number 'This Is The Moment', he created an emotional stage by adding emotional acting to his proven vocal skills.
Kim Sung-cheol shone even more in the extreme numbers where he had to portray both Jekyll and Hyde simultaneously. In 'Alive 2', which marks the end of the first act, and 'Confrontation', which appears in the second act, he presented a perfect stage as if he had become 'Jekyll/Hyde' itself. There was no trace of the shadow of senior actors like Jo Seung-woo and Hong Kwang-ho, who previously played the role.
In a previous interview, Kim Sung-cheol described his participation in 'Jekyll and Hyde' as a "poisoned chalice," stating, "As an actor, I have to show new aspects every time, and if it’s poisoned, I can get sick once and recover. I have quite good recovery abilities. I intend to continue taking on new challenges without fear."
Rather than being hurt and suffering from the 'poisoned chalice' of 'Jekyll and Hyde', Kim Sung-cheol perfectly embodied it. I am confident that Kim Sung-cheol's 'Jekyll and Hyde' will become a 'legendary stage' following Jo Seung-woo and Hong Kwang-ho, and I look forward to him drinking the 'poisoned chalice' to his heart's content in the future.
The cast includes Hong Kwang-ho, Shin Sung-rok, Choi Jae-rim, Jeon Dong-seok, and Kim Sung-cheol as 'Jekyll/Hyde', Yoon Gong-ju, Ivy, Linah, Sun-min, and Kim Hwan-hee as 'Lucy', and Jo Jung-eun, Choi Soo-jin, Son Ji-soo, and Lee Ji-hye as 'Emma'. Shin Sung-rok, Choi Jae-rim as 'Jekyll/Hyde', Ivy, Linah as 'Lucy', and Lee Ji-hye as 'Emma' will take the stage starting in March.
Performance duration is 170 minutes (including a 20-minute intermission). Suitable for ages 14 and up. Performances at Blue Square Shinhan Card Hall until May 18 next year.
[Shin Young-eun, Star Today Reporter]
