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It is a production created by global R&B pop star Alicia Keys based on her own life and music. The musical "Hell's Kitchen" is drawing massive attention with its spectacular group choreography and exceptional musical completion.
Tonight's "Nightline Invitation" features two actors from the musical "Hell's Kitchen," Park Hye-na and Son Seung-yeon.
Q. The Korean premiere of the musical "Hell's Kitchen"... How does it feel to perform in it?
[Park Hye-na / Musical Actor: Since we were meeting the audience for the very first time on stage for our opening performance, there was a certain tension and burden that came with it. Actually, while practicing in the studio, we already knew. We knew it was such a great show. How could such wonderful people gather to make a show like this? We were so excited. Of course, since we hadn't met the audience yet, we wondered how it would be received, but they loved it. In particular, fellow actors came and said, "This show is so good. I want to come see it again. I want to be in it too," and things like that. So that brought a new kind of pressure—the pressure to successfully run such a wonderful production until the final curtain call.]
[Son Seung-yeon / Musical Actor: As Park Hye-na just mentioned, I think we had a strong sense of certainty that it would do well. While practicing together among ourselves, the work was just so good. Even though we were just practicing in a studio with many actors, seeing everyone cry and empathize with one another made us think that if we meet the audience with this, they too would shed many tears and deeply empathize. As time goes on, more and more people seem to love it, so we are performing with a great sense of fulfillment.]
Q. The musical "Hell's Kitchen"... What kind of show is it?
[Park Hye-na / Musical Actor: Well, people might think it's about talented chefs gathering through fierce competition... (What if they actually go to the wrong place?) Just in case many people get confused, it's not that kind of "Hell's Kitchen." Hell's Kitchen is actually a neighborhood in Manhattan, New York. It's a story that unfolds there. First, it deals with the coming-of-age story of Ali, played by our Son Seung-yeon here. As you know, it features Alicia Keys' hit songs, and how should I put it—you really have to see it—it's a truly flawless production blending breathtaking group choreography that makes your heart race, along with a deeply touching drama of love, understanding, harmony, and forgiveness.]
Q. Pop star Alicia Keys participated... How was it working together?
[Son Seung-yeon / Musical Actor: From the very moment she stepped into the theater, she was such a deeply human artist, to the point where we could immediately understand why such a work came from her. Whenever she interacted with the actors, she always shared so many sincere stories. She constantly reminded us that "this isn't just about me or New York, it's simply the story of all of us." So we were able to communicate without any major difficulties or discomfort, and she spent such a joyful time talking and sharing stories with us before she left.]
Q. It captures Ali's growing-up process... How did you express those " growing pains"?
[Son Seung-yeon / Musical Actor: Actually, since the character Ali is quite young, I initially found it easier to relate to Jersey, who plays the mother role, and Miss Liza Jane, who plays the teacher. So in the beginning, it was actually a bit difficult for me to fully focus on the character of Ali. But as we kept going, there were just so many points in Ali that a lot of people could relate to. I started thinking that if I could just act so that the things Ali says sound like my own words—not just lines spoken by a character, but words spoken by the actor Son Seung-yeon and simply as the human Son Seung-yeon—then audiences would be able to watch without any discomfort and truly empathize. I think I focused a lot on that aspect.]
Q. A mother's "love" shown through "control"... Wasn't it difficult to act?
[Park Hye-na / Musical Actor: What was difficult for me when playing the character Jersey was that while a typical Korean mother would probably nag emotionally, saying, "Hey, don't do this, don't do that," the character Jersey is quite firm. Rather than showing emotion, she tries to trap Ali within control and strict rules, which tends to make Ali feel suffocated. However, that gets resolved toward the second half. So I thought that this aspect needed to come out clearly for Jersey's character to stand out. Therefore, every single show, I strive to connect with the audience by focusing on bringing out Jersey's distinct texture while ensuring she doesn't cross the emotional line.]
Q. The musical "Hell's Kitchen"... What are the parts you shouldn't miss?
[Son Seung-yeon / Musical Actor: The highlight of our production is honestly our ensemble team. The singing ensemble and the dance ensemble—our actors play such a truly perfect supporting role in completing this production. They play such a huge part that it would be hard to feel like this work is alive without them.]
[Park Hye-na / Musical Actor: And the sound—if you watch it from the audience seats, you will be surprised. You'll realize, "I can actually experience this kind of sound while watching a musical." (That's right.) It genuinely makes your heart beat.]
[Son Seung-yeon / Musical Actor: It really gives off a concert-level vibe, and the sound design is captured so well.]
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