Musical actress Ok Joo-hyun (44) has returned with 'Mata Hari'.
Since June 6, Ok Joo-hyun has been on stage at the LG Signature Hall in LG Arts Center, Magok-dong, Gangseo-gu, Seoul, performing in the musical 'Mata Hari'.
'Mata Hari' is based on the true story of the beautiful dancer Mata Hari (born Margaretha Geertruida Zelle), who was arrested by French authorities on charges of being a double agent during World War I and executed by firing squad. The musical depicts the dramatic life of Mata Hari, who was loved across Europe for her sensual dance and mysterious appearance. It will run until March 2 of next year.
Ok Joo-hyun has played the title role of Mata Hari since the musical's premiere in 2016, its second run in 2017, and its third run in 2022, and she will also be part of the fourth run in 2024.
After the first performance on June 6, Ok Joo-hyun met with reporters at the venue and said, "Since the 2022 performance, the work 'Mata Hari' has finally come together like a perfect puzzle that meets the audience's expectations," adding, "The journey of 'Mata Hari' now, two years later, has been chillingly good from the start. Of course, I am not completely satisfied, but I have built a solid foundation to achieve greater satisfaction. I believe that even slight differences can bring great emotions."
It was thanks to composer Frank Wildhorn that Ok Joo-hyun could be in 'Mata Hari'.
Ok Joo-hyun said, "I first met Frank Wildhorn through the work 'The Count of Monte Cristo'. He praised my singing, and I thought, 'What a generous American,' but later he praised me to the point of being overwhelming," adding, "He sent me other music he composed to listen to, and I am grateful that a composer like him thinks of me as special and allows me to experience something extraordinary. He instilled in me the mindset to do my best as much as I can, and thanks to that, I was able to grow."
Frank Wildhorn, who was also present, said, "Previously, I worked with famous singers like Whitney Houston, and just like them, Ok Joo-hyun's voice inspired me," adding, "I will never forget when Ok Joo-hyun sang 'When the World Was Mine' from 'The Count of Monte Cristo'. It was from this Korean woman (Ok Joo-hyun) that 'Mata Hari' was born."
Ok Joo-hyun faced some controversy before the performance. She posted a video of herself practicing smoking with a vitamin stick on the street for a smoking scene in the musical 'Mata Hari', which sparked controversy.
Regarding this, she said, "If you watch the performance, you'll understand why I practiced like that," adding, "Since I am a famous person, the controversy became bigger. I had to act as a smoker, so I had to practice with a vitamin stick, which was a big task for me. I was sorry for causing trouble when it became a controversy, but on the other hand, I thought, 'Thanks to this, the work is getting known. I am grateful for that.'
Recently, she also spoke about the current state of emergency and martial law. When asked if she was worried that performances might stop, Ok Joo-hyun said, "It's not that martial law is too scary, but I thought that such things could happen in the performance industry. The thoughts began with MERS and COVID-19. When the public is shaken, the arts are naturally affected. That's obvious. Isn't it impossible to have leisure?" She continued, "There is nothing that cannot happen in the world, so everything is fate, and we must live well according to that. I will do my best to use the time given to me well every moment."
Ok Joo-hyun, a member of the first-generation representative girl group Fin.K.L, has been active as a musical actress for 20 years since she started in musicals in 2005.
Ok Joo-hyun said, "When I first started in musicals, I had no specific goal of where I wanted to go. I wanted to overcome my shyness on stage. It was that time that brought me here," adding, "Now, I think it is my duty to manage myself well, such as voice control, and to pass on my knowledge to my juniors. I cannot be the current Ok Joo-hyun forever. I want to pass it on well to my female juniors."
[Shin Young-eun, Star Today Reporter]
