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🇰🇷 South Korea /Culture & Society

Singer Ivy to debut on Broadway in 'Chicago'

From Hankyoreh · () Korean

Translated from Korean, summarized and contextualized by DistantNews.

At a glance

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  • Singer and actress Ivy will perform as Roxie Hart in the Broadway musical 'Chicago,' making her the first Korean actress to take on the role on the iconic New York stage.
  • Ivy, who has performed the role 592 times in Korea, underwent a year-long audition process, including English vocal and monologue performances, to secure the part.
  • She aims to pave the way for other Korean musical actors to pursue international opportunities, emphasizing that language barriers or age should not limit such aspirations.

Singer and actress Ivy is set to make her Broadway debut in the musical 'Chicago,' a role she has performed extensively in Korea. "I hope the fact that this opportunity can come to many people, even if you don't speak English or are not a star, gives them strength, dreams, and courage," Ivy stated at a press conference in Seoul.

I hope the fact that this opportunity can come to many people, even if you don't speak English or are not a star, gives them strength, dreams, and courage.

— IvyAt a press conference announcing her Broadway debut.

Ivy will play the lead role of Roxie Hart from August 17 to September 6 at the Ambassador Theatre in New York. While other Korean actors have appeared on Broadway, this marks the first time a Korean performer will be in 'Chicago,' a show celebrating its 30th anniversary this year.

Ivy, a veteran of the role with 592 performances since 2012, described it as the "final boss" of her musical journey. Securing the part involved a rigorous year-long audition process, including three video auditions where she performed Roxie Hart's signature numbers and monologues in English. "I thought the possibility was almost zero," she recalled, having only studied English for about a year and a half.

I feel a great sense of responsibility and burden representing Korean musical actors.

— IvyDiscussing the significance of her Broadway role.

The preparation has been intense, with Ivy studying pronunciation, accent, business English, and stage acting with nine native English teachers. "During the week, I'm busier than most students," she admitted. She noted that the English script revealed nuances absent in the Korean version, with more "sexual metaphors and twisted expressions" that she found "fun."

I thought the possibility was almost zero. I had only been learning English for about a year and a half, and 'Chicago' itself is a very American work.

— IvyRecalling her initial thoughts during the audition process.

Despite the immense pressure, Ivy hopes her achievement will inspire other Korean musical actors to pursue global stages. "I want to leave the impression that Korean musical actors can also come to America and challenge themselves," she said. "I hope this experience leads to more actors taking on broader stages."

During the week, I'm busier than most students.

— IvyDescribing her intensive preparation for the Broadway role.
DistantNews Editorial

Originally published by Hankyoreh in Korean. Translated, summarized, and contextualized by our editorial team with added local perspective. Read our editorial standards.

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