A photoshoot of Solar from the group Mamamoo has been revealed.
Mamamoo's Solar has returned for the fourth run of the EMK musical ‘Mata Hari’. ‘Mata Hari’ is a period drama that tells the story of the famous dancer ‘Mata Hari’, who gained fame across Europe before the outbreak of World War I, and was forced into espionage by political powers.
The third season of ‘Mata Hari’ is also Solar's musical debut, making this fourth run even more special.
Solar expressed her feelings about returning for the fourth run, saying, “It’s truly an honor to have this opportunity again. I prepared happily without realizing how tough it was. I definitely feel more at ease compared to the third run. It was the same during rehearsals, but also on stage. Last season, I was so focused on getting through the lines and numbers in front of me, but this season, I can fully concentrate on my acting.”
She noted that the biggest changes are in ‘dance’ and ‘acting’. Solar said, “I think my dancing and singing have matured much more than last season. The director and my fellow cast members have given me a lot of good feedback, which has boosted my confidence,” she laughed.
She also mentioned her favorite scene and a key point to watch.
Solar said, “The ‘Dance of the Temple’ and ‘The Last Moment’. The ‘Dance of the Temple’ is the scene where the mysterious dancer ‘Mata Hari’ is revealed to the world for the first time, showcasing her pure and untainted self. And ‘The Last Moment’ is the song she sings when she faces her final moment with the man she loves, ‘Armand’. It’s a number that conveys the true feelings of the human ‘Margaretha’ (Mata Hari's real name in the play). I always get overwhelmed with emotion when I sing that scene.”
She continued, “(In that scene) I barely hold back my tears. I know that if I cry, my voice will crack and ruin the song. Just thinking about that makes the tears go away. There are a lot of high notes in the latter part.”
She also revealed a work she wants to challenge herself with. Solar said, “Preparing for a musical is really tough, but once the performance starts, the difficulties melt away like snow. Only the fun and proud feelings remain. That’s why I can’t seem to escape the charm of musicals. If I get the chance, I would like to challenge myself for the role of Roxie in ‘Chicago’. I’ve also heard that I would fit well in ‘Moulin Rouge’ and ‘Aida’. These are all works I want to participate in,” expressing her passion for musicals.
When asked how she spends the end of the year in her 11th year since debut, Solar replied, “After my debut, I’ve always been busy attending award ceremonies and preparing for various stages at the end of the year. I really wanted to enjoy the Christmas atmosphere and hang out with friends outside. However, (omitted) as the generational shift happened, my schedule at the end of the year has decreased. I now watch the award ceremonies and year-end stages I used to attend on TV at home, which is quite upsetting. I feel a bit sorry for myself. I think, ‘I want to go there too,’ and for a while, it felt strange.”
She added, “(This year-end) is all about ‘Mata Hari’. I plan to be fully immersed in it until the performance ends in March.”
‘Mata Hari’ will be performed at the LG Arts Center in Seoul until March 2, and tickets are available for purchase through Melon Ticket and Interpark Ticket. More of Solar's photoshoot and interview can be found in the January issue of ‘Cosmopolitan’ and on the Cosmopolitan Korea website.
[Yang So-young, Star Today Reporter]
