Korea's Billy Porter

Kang Hong-seok, center, who plays drag queen Lola, sings “Sex is in the Heel” with her backup dancers in a scene from the Korean production of “Kinky Boots” staged at Chungmu Art Hall in central Seoul. / Courtesy of CJ E&M

• Published Feb 3, 2015 4:19 PM KST
• Updated Feb 3, 2015 4:19 PM KST

Kang Hong-seok finds dream role in 'Kinky Boots'

By Kwon Mee-yoo

Kang Hong-seok is a man's man. He is all about boosting masculinity.

Now, Kang wears a glittering red dress and a pair of 15-centimeter high heels every night, playing the drag queen Lola in the Korean production of Broadway musical "Kinky Boots."

"Kinky Boots" is a Tony Award-winning hit now playing at Seoul's Chungmu Art Hall. Based on a true story and having been made into a 2005 film of the same title, the musical revolves around two men -- young shoe factory heir Charlie and drag queen Lola with pop music icon Cyndi Lauper's music.

On Broadway, pop singer and theater actor Billy Porter played Lola to critical acclaim, winning the Tony Award for Best Actor in a Musical in 2013.

"I am a big fan of Billy Porter. When I saw a video clip of Porter walking in heels in Kinky Boots, I was fascinated by his dignified appearance," Kang said during an interview with The Korea Times. "I really liked the music of Kinky Boots, but cross-dressing was a burden at first."

Kang, a graduate of the Seoul Institute of the Arts, made his stage debut in 2011 through a DJ DOC jukebox musical "Street Life" and played mostly masculine roles such as basketball player Chad in "High School Musical."

Mesmerized by the charm of Kinky Boots, the 29-year-old dressed as a woman for an audition, which turned out to be successful.

On stage, Lola and her backup drag dancers called the "angels," wear high heels with steel shanks, singing and dancing to Lauper's catchy tunes.

"Wearing high heels was the most challenging at first. During rehearsals, the wardrobe prepared a pair of customized red heels for me. I still remember my first day in heels -- I felt a twinge in my hands and feet and could hardly move after two hours wearing them. Now I can jump in stilettos," Kang said. "No heel has been broken yet and it is amazing that these thin heels can hold my 85-kilogram body."

Kang also had a hard time distinguishing the difference between imitating a woman and admiring femininity.

"I have a large frame and I thought it was impossible to lose weight and look like a woman. Associate director DB Bonds told me I am beautiful as I am, when not mimicking a woman," he said.

The original Lola Porter described the role as "gender illusionist." Lola is neither a man nor a woman. He is a straight man in a dress, who knows what a woman wants.

To understand this complicated character, Kang -- who had never even heard of a drag queen before -- went to Itaewon, where sexual minorities flock to.

"I went to Itaewon to meet drag queens, transgender people and gays. I tried to listen to their stories and feelings without being rude," Kang said. "Drag queens were so special. They looked strong, but very feminine at the same time. I was also astonished by so many females in the audience at drag queen shows."

Kang asked a drag queen he met to come see the show. "I told her that I can't fully fathom her path of life, but I began to understand why she cross-dresses. I asked her to come see me playing Lola and judge my portrayal of a drag queen. I think she hasn't come yet, but I do hope she watches the show before it ends."

In the musical, Lola finds her confidence in bombastic drag costumes. For Kang, being onstage gives him self-confidence.

"Stage is where I can reveal myself, do my best. I am assertive when I am on the stage. On my first night as Lola, I was amazed to see the audience accepting me, this bulky man in sassy drag queen makeup, rhinestone-encrusted dress and high-heeled boots," Kang recalled.

Korean "Kinky Boots" runs through Feb. 22. Tickets cost from 50,000 to 140,000 won. For more information, visit www.kinkyboots.co.kr or call 02-749-9037.