Shinhwa’s Kim Dong-wan to have opera debut in April
Kim Dong-wan, 44, a member from the legendary K-pop boy band Shinhwa, bagged his first role in opera.
He will take the role of Puck, a mischievous sprite with magical powers, in the opera “A Midsummer Night’s Dream” by Benjamin Britten, which will be performed at Seoul Arts Center from April 11 to 14.
The opera is based on William Shakespeare’s 1595-1596 play and tells the story of fairy king Oberon, played by English countertenor James Laing and Korean countertenor Jang Jung-kwon, and fairy queen Titania, played by Korean sopranos Lee Hye-jung and Lee Hae-gee, according to its organizer Korea National Opera(KNO). It first premiered during the Aldeburgh Festival in U.K. in 1960 but it is first time to be performed in Seoul.
It follows consequences of the fallout after Oberon asks Puck to fetch a special flower that makes its bearer fall in love with the first creature he or she sees upon waking. Puck’s mistake results in the wrong people falling in love.
The opera is one of the few English-language operas to be seen in Korea.
Kim said he is the perfect fit for mischievous spirit. “I’m quite fitted for this frantic, goofy and confused character (because I myself is),” said the singer jokingly during a press conference for the opera at Seoul Arts Center in Seocho District, southern Seoul, Monday.
“During the practice, I tried my best to come in harmony with other opera singers. I’ve worried a lot since the genre is still new to me. But now I feel the music is full of variations that don’t allow audiences a second to get bored,” he added.
Kim’s whimsical, fun-loving role is expected to make the atmosphere of the play livelier and more cheerful. It is rare to meet celebrity cast members at opera pieces.