Actor Lee Seong-gyeong also shone on the musical stage.
Lee Seong-gyeong played the role of Jasmine in the musical Aladdin, which closed on the 28th, and proved her limitless potential as a musical actress beyond drama and film by creating numerous topics such as curtain calls showcasing not only outstanding skill but also perfect visuals, and a leave-work event with fans.
The musical Aladdin is a Broadway hit that depicts Aladdin's journey and romance unfolding in the mysterious kingdom of Agrabah, has been performed by 11 productions across four continents worldwide, and drew about 21 million audience members. The Korean premiere of Aladdin opened in Seoul in Nov. last year and continued performances in Busan from Jul. this year, recording sellouts day after day and receiving the audience's passionate love.
In the musical Aladdin, Lee Seong-gyeong drew attention as Jasmine, who combined a distinctive vocal style, stable acting ability, and dazzling visuals, boasting a level of likeness as if she had stepped out of the original animation. Moreover, despite this being her first musical challenge, she showcased a vivid character realization and stage presence along with her own interpretation of Jasmine, earning audiences the nickname "Beulseumin."
Below is a Q&A with Lee Seong-gyeong
Q. What are your thoughts on successfully completing the musical Aladdin?
A. I completed it thanks to the precious Aladdin team, the audience members, and many people who cheered and prayed for me! Everything can only be described as gratitude and a miracle!
Q. This is your first musical challenge. Is there any reason or impression about joining Aladdin?
A. The musical stage was a dream I wanted to achieve even before I debuted. Many senior colleagues, knowing how long I loved and dreamed of musicals, advised me to try, and thanks to the encouragement of actor Kang Hong-seok, who played the genie in Aladdin, I found the courage to audition. Musical was so precious to me that I thought, "Don't challenge it recklessly; stand in that place when you can do it well and when you are ready," so it was a cautious yet desperate dream. But thanks to the support of many people, I challenged myself, and I'm truly grateful that a good result came my way.
Q. What efforts did you make to complete your own version of the character Jasmine?
A. I deliberated a lot to express situations so that the audience could realistically accept them, focusing on small details and line tone, even though it's like a fairy tale. For example, when confronting Jafar, I tried to express strength to appear as a threatening presence as sultan. And I practiced diligently without skipping a single day. I recorded monitors for every performance and photographed the rehearsal room monitor, which is hard to see, to review and check my movements in detail and improve. Also, because I wanted to give the audience truly happy moments, before every performance I knelt and put my hands together to pray in the waiting room (laughs).
Q. I know you loved the work even before participating in the musical, such as singing Aladdin's representative OST (A Whole New World) at fan meetings. Is there a special reason you like Aladdin?
A. To me, Aladdin is such a happy work. First of all, all the numbers in Aladdin are great, and the texture expressed while singing is pure, so it was enjoyable just to sing along. It was a song I often sang in my daily life, and by chance a video of me singing A Whole New World received a lot of love, and it's amazing that I debuted as a musical actress because of that song! Now standing on the Aladdin stage I loved so much, it's like a dream that anyone in the audience, young or old, can laugh, enjoy, and feel an uplifting lingering emotion as I felt.
Q. You completed a roughly 10-month journey starting with the Seoul performance in Nov. 2024 and ending with the Busan performance in Sep. 2025. If you had to pick the most memorable episode, what would it be?
A. I had an injury during the run. I injured the ligaments in my right ankle, but I was able to overcome it with the help of my team members and love for Aladdin. While standing on stage I supported it with taping and underwent rehabilitation treatments. I planned to tell people only after I recovered because I worried that letting people know about the injury during the run would worry fans. Even so, I don't know how proud and grateful I am to have finished the performances.
Q. Which number or line in Aladdin do you like most, and why?
A. It's really hard to choose just one song because every number is so precious (laughs). Instead, if I pick a favorite line, it's a line that allowed me to start when I first challenged musicals and a line I relied on when facing difficult things as a model and actor: "Don't be afraid, gather your courage! If you hesitate, there's no opportunity!"
Q. Aladdin was the work that marked your first step as a musical actress. What differences do you notice when you stand on stage as a musical actress?
A. On stage I felt that the size of actions, gestures, and vocal production methods are really different. As I tried musicals for the first time, I realized that vocal power is not simply "loudness of the voice" but producing "a good sound." Even before starting musicals I had the desire to make a good sound, but in musicals I realized you must produce a deeper, better textured sound so that through the microphone not only volume but energy and emotion are all conveyed. So I worked even harder.
Q. Are there any musicals or roles you'd like to challenge in the future?
A. In musicals everything is a challenge and a hope for me. There are still so many dream works and roles I haven't achieved. Based on what I learned and developed over the year through Aladdin, I will work harder and just hope to show a much better side in the next work.
Q. Please give a final greeting to the fans and audience who came to see the musical Aladdin.
A. I feel limited in expressing the overwhelming emotions in my heart at this moment (laughs), but I sincerely thank everyone who shared this unforgettable, precious time with all their heart. I will strive to be a great and good actor and person so that all these moments of mine can also be special to you. I believe I can exist because of you. I love you, and see you again! Definitely~~~<
[OSEN]