Musical actor Kai heatedly celebrated the 10th anniversary of 'Phantom.'
On May 31, Kai took the stage as the Phantom in the popular musical 'Phantom,' which opened at the Sejong Center for the Performing Arts in Seoul for its fifth season and 10th anniversary 'Grand Finale Season,' meeting with audiences for over two months.
After the performance concluded on the 10th, Kai completed his run, showcasing acting skills and influence befitting the reputation of 'Legend Phantom' and reciprocating the support of the audience who came to trust him with passionate performances every moment.
Since the Korean premiere in 2015, Kai has taken on the role of Phantom, participating in every season except for the remounts, currently holding the record for the most grants for the Phantom role. As a veteran actor with abundant stage experience, he captivated the audience with a standing ovation from his first performance and maintained unwavering acting skills until the final performance, once again bringing his life character to bloom.
Portraying the Phantom, a man with a tragic fate who must live in the basement of the opera house wearing a mask due to his hideous face, Kai revealed a commanding presence and rich yet delicate expressive capabilities, depicting the character's details three-dimensionally.
Above all, Kai drew the audience's attention with a high density synchronization that immediately showcased the Phantom's narrative through his entrance and silhouette, and in the scenes expressing his tender feelings for his beloved Christine Daaé, he perfectly conveyed the poignant narrative. Furthermore, he created a seamless ensemble with the actors he shared the stage with, delivering a profound emotional impact and thrill befitting a distinguished actor.
After finishing the final performance, Kai said, 'The memory of the premiere of 'Phantom' is still vivid, and after 10 years, I feel a heavenly gratitude to greet you all again as 'Phantom.'
He continued, 'It is truly miraculous for a role to extend a hand to an actor. I would like to sincerely thank Erik, who has found me over the past 10 years, and until the day we meet Erik again, I want to be the Kai who gives his all on stage without losing his dreams.' He also expressed heartfelt gratitude to the audience who has continually supported him, stating, 'I may never forget this moment for the rest of my life. Thank you once again.'
Majoring in vocal music at Seoul National University, Kai has gained recognition as a leading musical actor in Korea and a representative of crossover genres through significant works such as 'Beethoven,' 'Les Misérables,' 'Ben-Hur,' 'Frankenstein,' 'Excalibur,' 'Rebecca,' 'Werther,' and 'Jekyll & Hyde.'
While performing the musical 'Phantom,' he also participated in 'Donauinselfest,' Europe's largest music festival, and was invited to perform in a large-scale concert celebrating the 65th anniversary of the renowned Japanese production company Horipro, reaffirming his fame and skill as a leading representative of the K crossover genre.
On the 23rd of last month, he released his first digital single album, '愛こそ酷 ~ LOVE IS CRUEL ~' in Japan, marking a significant entry into the market and has been continuously achieving career highs, drawing considerable interest in his future endeavors.
[Photo] EMK Musical Company
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