Pop idol makes shaky start in musical

Having well-known singers and actors on theater stage is a formula for success in musicals and plays, but the trend has become so prevalent that it seems almost passe.

Still, public attention was generated when two members of the popular Korean boy band Super Junior -- Kang In and Kim Hee-cheol -- decided to make their musical debut in "Xanadu", sharing the lead role.

The show -- a 1960s movie turned into a Broadway musical about a muse who comes to the human world and finds true love -- seemed to be a perfect match for the pop idols.

Although Super Junior fans eagerly awaited the musical, there was a lingering doubt about whether the two young stars would be able to sing and act in the theater.

Prior to the show's opening, the two pop idols seemed determined to showcase their talent for musical acting. They even said that they would rehearse far more than required to disprove the claim that they got the roles because of their boy-band success. In last Tuesday's performance, where Kang In played the main character Sonny, he succeeded in drawing his fans to the theater. At first, a number of doe-eyed teenage girls could be seen gazing at their idol in admiration.

Kang In made a strong presence on the stage with his cute appearance and trademark smile, to wild responses from his fans. But he did not seem not fully prepared for the show, which required a combination of singing, acting, and roller skating. In most parts of the show, the main characters are on roller skates, due to the show's unusual setting.

Kang In's singing and acting was far from professional, falling short of the level you would expect, and he gave the impression that he was not comfortable with his performance.

Kang In was also shaky and unstable when skating -- at one point he tripped and almost wiped out, prompting chuckles from the audience.

Kang In's less-than-impressive performance raised questions about the musical industry's preference for high-profile entertainers from other fields, even if their presence does help ticket sales.

Meanwhile, the "Panadu" seats -- where people could watch the show right up close to the actors, who would occasionally come and play with them -- were a refreshing experiment as audiences seated in the special section enjoyed interacting with actors.

"Xanadu" will run through Nov. 23 at Doosan Art Center in Yeonji-dong, northern Seoul. For further information, call (02) 745-5570.

By Koh Young-aah