'The Man Who Laughs' Lee Seok-hoon "I Pay More Attention to My Voice Than When I Was a Singer"

Role of 'Gwinplen' in the musical 'The Man Who Laughs'

[Asia Economy Reporter Park Byung-hee] Now, the description of musical actor suits him quite well in addition to singer. Lee Seok-hoon is currently starring as the main character 'Gwynplaine' in the musical 'The Man Who Laughs.'

He first stepped onto the musical stage in 2018 with 'Kinky Boots.' Then he performed in 'Gwanghwamun Sonata.' 'The Man Who Laughs' is his third work. Although he is a veteran as a singer, he is practically a rookie as an actor. However, Lee Seok-hoon said that while doing musicals, he worries more about singing than acting. This is because he thinks conveying the story is important in musicals. Therefore, he pays more attention to his voice than when he is a singer.

"Singers and musical actors both sing, but unlike singers, musical actors use a pin microphone attached to the forehead. Musicals need to deliver the story to the audience, so the sound must come out well. The important thing is how solid the vocalization is. I have always felt the importance of vocalization, but I feel it more deeply while doing musicals. I think the delivery of sound is the most important, so I am focusing on learning vocalization again."

There are four actors playing the role of Gwynplaine in 'The Man Who Laughs,' including Lee Seok-hoon. He is the oldest among the four, but has the least musical stage experience. He confidently said he practices the most.

"Since I started practicing, I haven't taken a single day off. It's very natural for me. I am not a fast learner. So I have to practice and think more than others. I am the type who cannot stay at home on my days off."

Seokhun Lee [Photo by EMK Musical Company]

Lee Seok-hoon said that 'The Man Who Laughs' was so attractive that he really wanted to appear in it. "On the day of the MBC 'King of Mask Singer' recording, I heard the casting news for 'The Man Who Laughs' and was so happy that I shouted loudly. After being cast, I wanted to focus on The Man Who Laughs, so I excluded all other schedules."

Another attraction was that he could show a different side that he couldn't show as a singer. "The public knows me as a singer who loves ballads and sings ballads, but I started music with rock and hip-hop. I am confident in making my voice rough or producing different sounds, but I never had the chance to show that as a singer. I think the songs I sing on 'The Man Who Laughs' stage will be an important turning point in my singing career. It feels very refreshing."

He had been receiving offers to appear in musicals for a long time. But at that time, he thought he was not ready. "I think it was a good choice not to accept the previous offers. Now I have my own judgment that I can do it, so I started musicals, and that's why I feel this happiness now."

He said, "I used to think I would not quit the musical performance world, but now I can say I have fully immersed myself," and added, "It's so fun, especially I am very happy during the curtain call, so I will continue doing musicals in the future."