Many of us are curious about the department of the theater and film, what do they look like, what do they practice, and so on. Most of the students majored in theater prepare the performances in CAU art center, located in Daehangno, Haehwa-dong, and is also the well-known place where many small theaters are located. If you ever seen the performances done by CAU students or any professional performances in the theater such as the musicals or dramas, you can feel the distinctive moods on there, full of artistic passions. As CAU is very famous for the department of theater and film, there are many people preparing and performing the shows on this street. The actor Kang Young-seok is one of the actors who are putting lots of effort to show the best performances and develop himself who are now attending CAU. The well-known play “Thrill Me”, “Mama don’t cry” is the example of this results. Moreover, he’s now preparing for new musical which starts to play in June called “Pathetic History” and being issued through the internet news. CAH interviewed him by visiting near the Daehangno art center during the break time and talked about recent stories and about school life.

CAH: You’ve been issue preparing new musical “Pathetic History.” Can you tell me more about the performance and the differences between other musicals?
KANG: The special point of this musical is that it is based on the webtoon drawn by Kim-Poong. We are utilizing the webtoon stories and juke boxes together and still preparing. My role character in the performance is a man named “Seo Min-gi” who only pressure his mind to other people and regret at last, getting hurt. His nerd story is being emphasized in the story which well belongs with the title of musical. For instance, there is a scene which I have to lie to the girl friend staying with my friend. There are many funny points, so I’d hope you to come and see.

CAH: We’ve heard that you was a good sportsman when you were in high school but now you are attending Chung-Ang university majored in theater. What are the reasons you decided to be an actor and apply CAU?
KANG: Firstly, I love physical activities as my father graduated the department of social physics, and my sister used to go for a dive. Therefore, I tried lots of sports such as swimming, diving, basketball and so on. I also thought about applying to physic majors in university, but it was physically so difficult and little bit boring that I tried to find something else. At that time, my friend was practicing for applying the theater major so that I also got interested and registered acting academy. It was very fun like game and wasn’t boring. What’s more, I got praised from the teachers in academy that I was fully motivated and almost lived at there, practicing all day long. I think acting should be carried out with motivation and fun. The reason I applied CAU is because it is famous for the department of theater and film so I prepared rolling admission and I got through.

CAH: Through your school life in CAU, what were the most memorable activities you had done?
KANG: When I first entered CAU, I was little bit surprised of MT of the department of theater. The seniors prepared a lot than usual MT that there was a special concept such as putting on an iron-man make-up and conducting the missions as a team. It was very fun and looks as a kind of a performance so that I enjoyed a lot during the game. Moreover, the most memorable work is the first performance done in the theater of CAU in Hae-hwa (Daehangno) titled “I love you”. Surprisingly, I’m now preparing the musical with a senior who played together at that past.

CAH: What experiences in CAU has influenced you working as an actor?
KANG: After entering the university, I think my mind has been absolutely changed a lot. Well, I think my mind will be changed once more after graduating CAU, too. The reason I think like this is because of the good influences that I get from good seniors. The preparation time of one performance took about 2~3month that I learn lots of things during that time. Moreover, I have still some performances are left for the graduate, so I might learn more from the seniors and prepare for living as a matured actor.

CAH: Your debut musical performance is known as “Hwa-rang”. Are there any differences of your mind preparing between “Hwa-rang” and the most recent work “Pathetic History”?
KANG: Well… the musical “Hwa-Rang” was my first performances done before joining the Korean army, so I was thinking like “just do it whatever it is!” Since it was the first challenging work in the age of 21, I didn’t know many things and just followed instructions being somewhat passive. However, now I’m preparing with self-directed attitude and feel more fun.

CAU: What is the most impressive performances you have been assigned and what was the most time you’ve went through?
KANG: The most impressive performance was a musical “The model students’ which I’ve playing twice. The mood of whole team was very comfortable and fun that I could practice easier. However, the hardest performance I remember is musical “Mama don’t cry”. I rolled as “Professor V” and there were too many dialogues I need to memorize. Well, the hardest part when preparing every performance is understanding and accepting the character that is very different with me who I have to role in the performance. It is very important to solve this problem. In my case, I tried to see similar character in movies and dramas, and it seems that I get used to it when I look them many times. In physical aspects, taking care of my throat is somewhat hard.
CAH: ‘Daehangno Culture’ is hugely contributing to Korean Theater Culture’s development. What do you think is the biggest merit of ‘Daehangno Culture’?
KANG: Obviously, interactive communication between performer and audience is the biggest merit of Deahangno Play. Immediate feedback allows on-scene revisions to be made for improvements and open communicating environment creates friendly atmosphere.

CAH: What kind of actress do you want to be?
KANG: I wish to be an actress with broad spectrum, who is admired to unexpectedly accomplish successful acting. My ultimate goal is to try out diverse genres of acting. Indeed, there are countless genres that I’ve never tried or know of, but I’m urged to do my best. For instance, I still not have participated in works of movies and broadcastings.

CAH: There are many renowned CAU alumni actresses. Have you worked or got supports from CAU graduates?
KANG: CAU seniors such as Park Jung-Won and one of the members 41th graduating class has given me invaluable advice and walked me through becoming a better actor. Nobody had commanded specific acting style, but contributed various suggestions for betterment. These helped me to be an actor with mature characteristic of my own.

CAH: Department of Theater and Film is renowned for having various successful actress and celebrities. Was following up university course burdensome or difficult?
KANG: Although I’ve sent days staying up all night preparing for a play, I enjoyed collaborating with colleagues and acting out a play at school. Besides, GPA does not matter lot to students of Department of Theater and Film in the future career, so I had time and energy to devout effort in preparing for the play.

CAH: Please give words to CAU students, especially who strives to become actress.
KANG: Not only to students preparing to become an actress, as a person having a career, I think it is important to find something that you are interested in. This could be an obvious advice, but finding why something makes me joyful and enjoyable is important. Looking back to my high school and university life, acting and preparing a play was something fun. Therefore, if you’re goal is to study, stand in front of camera or work at a company, knowing that why and what interests you, will help you to happily work in that field. Also, it is an immutable law that working with collaborative and good people is a gifted environment.

CAH: Living as actor, what was the most difficult experience you’ve had?
KANG: Taking a scene to kiss with another male actor. The play <Trill Me>, which has received spotlight of press and audiences, included a scene showing the love of two men and I had to take the scene with minimized practice before the actual play. Since sometimes, I need to act upon the script and story line against my will, it comes to be stressful and difficult.

CAH: You are currently applied for a leave of absence. What are your plans with graduation?
KANG: Honestly, I’m concerned with when and how to get back to CAU. Including years of military service, it is my third year on a leave of absence. Every senior that I know have graduated and few of my colleges are currently an undergraduate. Since I am a big senior to students in campus, I’m worried to blend in and get a sense of belonging. In this aspect, I’m amazed to see many female actresses successfully holding down a career and attending school at the same time.

CAH: Please tell us more about the musical you are presently working in.
KANG: Currently I’m casted for musical, <History of a Loser>. Based on Web Toon story, it deals with friendship of 4 male characters throwing back to their nerdy experience of love. The Web Toon itself had great distinction between likes and dislikes, so the staff members are deeply concerned with expressions and words in lines. Since great number of female audiences visit theater, musical with male perspective synopsis could be less acceptable. However, I think feeling and making sympathy from individual’s experiences could make one to enjoy the performance. Ultimately, the musical gives a message that not every part of your life history is filled with success and positive events. Embarrassing or nerdy experiences is also part of your life’s history and accepting these aspects makes better ‘you’ is the key to this musical. Hopefully many CAU students come and watch the performance!

         The man CAH met was very tall and handsome with shining eyes. Even though he was preparing two musical plays and very busy, he looked very calm and modest that made us to buy a ticket he’s going to perform. Musical and theater actor looks very glamorous and fun, but at the back of the stage, they practice numerous times again and again to show the perfect play, considering all the props, emotions, circulations and so on. CAH hope him to well finish the shows and expand to various genres that we can see him in the TV or movie screens more and more. Moreover, if you are interested in theaters, why not go for a show in June and have fun with your friends.
 

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