Bada’s 10-Year Musical Dream Comes True
By Chung Ah-young
Staff Reporter
Bada has become a household name after her string of hit albums and singles released both as a solo artist and member of S.E.S., the heartthrob girl trio.
It is now 10 years since her debut as lead singer of S.E.S. The group, which disbanded in 2002, sparked a boom of girl groups at that time.
Now, the 27-year-old is taking on a new challenge with two upcoming musicals, despite a setback caused by a traffic accident.
The singer-turned-actress takes on major roles _ as gypsy woman Esmeralda from ``Notre Dame de Paris,’’ in the first Korean production of French blockbuster musical, and as Denise in ``Tell Me On a Sunday,’’ Andrew Lloyd Webber’s latest piece.
``Starring in the musicals was not an overnight decision _ it has been my dream ever since I started my singer career,’’ Bada explained in an interview with The Korea Times.
``Early in my career, I planned to begin my `second life’ 10 years later as a musical actress. I slowly prepared to grab that chance,’’ she said.
She had her first musical debut in 2003 with a role in ``Peppermint,’’ a homegrown musical.
When she first picked out the musical four years ago, she put emphasis not on just the high-profile titles, which guarantees the success, but on its creativity as an original Korean musical.
``My first musical was not that successful. But I learned a lot through that experience. I loved the process of creating a character from scratch. That experience was a stepping stone for these two musicals,’’ she said.
After her first musical, she concentrated on her albums, going solo after her five years with S.E.S.
She was the first singer to go solo and become totally independent from the group’s management at that time.
``The five years were important to pitch up my career as a solo singer and the final step of preparation before turning into a musical star. I strongly believe that without success as a full-fledged singer, singers cannot succeed in any other field,’’ she said.
She said that she feels burdened because the two roles are difficult to master, but she shows confidence and passion for the roles she has coveted for a long time.
But Bada said that feeling burdened is also part of a performer’s profession. ``I am overwhelmed by the great energy of the musicals. Actresses should feel the burden but enjoy it. Once on the stage, you must put down your burdens, just enjoy and concentrate on the role,’’ she said.
Esmeralda is a strong woman, a bit aggressive, yet delicate and sensitive, a more serious character facing life and death matters in dire circumstance. Meanwhile, Denise is a modern woman in her late 20s and 30, depicting lighthearted and personal stories.
``I will show a totally different side of myself. My vocal style will change to be fitted for Esmeralda,’’ she said.
Concerning the description of singers and musical actresses, she said that the two professions are basically the same as both sing and tell a story through emotions at the same time.
``I believe that singers are storytellers who deliver short lyrics like musical actresses. When I write lyrics for my songs, I always imagine a character in a short story that delivers messages to my fans. Telling a story is also part of a singer’s duty,’’ she said.
Bada said that both musical actresses and singers should touch the audience’s hearts through music. ``I’ve changed my style and genre numerous times over the past 10 years. But one thing that I have never changed was to respect the integrity of music, which should have an impression on and touch the hearts of listeners,’’ she said. ``This should not change,’’ she stressed.
The recent decline in the record industry _ which is dealing a serious blow to musicians, making them turn to other industries like musicals _ is partially responsible for the trend; but she thinks not all singers will succeed in the musical scene.
She said that she has been tested in numerous auditions.
Bada will leave Wednesday for Paris to meet Luc Plamondon, a French-Canadian lyricist who has written for many prestigious artists such as Celine Dion, and also will be taught by Michel Cerroni, a vocal trainer of the original creative team.
According to the NDPK, the Korean production company, Bada’s visit to Paris comes as she couldn’t attend the vocal training program in Korea because of a traffic accident on Aug. 25.
``I am very glad to meet such world-renowned artists. But in Paris, I want to feel the aura of Esmeralda and walk around Notre Dame to receive inspiration from there,’’ she said.
``We all have parts of Esmeralda inside us. What I have to do is just take out the Esmeralda character from inside myself,’’ she laughed.
The Korean production is the first local production in Asia. The musical will be staged in Oct. 23 from Gimhae to Seoul for six months.