Often found at theaters and museums, Kwon Mee-yoo has covered a wide range of cultural fields from K-pop and dramas to theater and fine art for over a decade. Now as K-Culture Desk editor, she tries to connect Korean culture with global readers through fresh perspectives.
INTERVIEW Korea's first female Hermes Choi Jung-won guides audience to 'Hadestown'
Actor Choi Jung-won, who plays Hermes in the musical "Hadestown," poses prior to an interview with The Korea Times at the Charlotte Theater in southern Seoul, Aug. 16. Korea Times photo by Choi Won-suk
By Kwon Mee-yoo
"When I first read the script for 'Hadestown,' it felt like destiny. I realized Hermes was a character who had been waiting for me all along," Choi Jung-won, one of the most celebrated stage actors in Korea, who is now making history as the first female Hermes in the acclaimed musical, said during an interview with The Korea Times at Charlotte Theater in southern Seoul, Aug. 16.
Since her debut in 1989 as a member of the female ensemble in Guys and Dolls, Choi has been a prominent figure in Korea’s modern musical theater. Over her more than three-decade career, she has become a household name, celebrated for her roles in major productions like Roxie and Velma in Chicago and Donna in Mamma Mia!. Recently, she made headlines for her groundbreaking portrayal of Hermes in Hadestown, marking her first venture into gender-bending roles.
Choi Jung-won, right, is the first female actor to play Hermes in the Korean production of "Hadestown" at the Charlotte Theater in southern Seoul. Courtesy of S&CO
Developing Hermes
“Hadestown” is a musical that weaves together the ancient Greek myths of Orpheus and Eurydice with Hades and Persephone with a modern flair with Hermes as a narrator and guide.
Choi takes on the responsibility of being Korea's first female Hermes with pride. The excitement was palpable when the news broke that Choi had been cast as Hermes in the second Korean production of "Hadestown.” Even Rachel Chavkin, the original director of the show, warmly endorsed Choi's groundbreaking casting in a message.
However, when Choi first heard that “Hadestown” was returning to Korea, she initially prepared herself for the role of Persephone, even practicing songs and dance moves befitting the wine-soaked harvest goddess.
"I was ready for Persephone, however, when I received the audition material, it was for Hermes,” Choi said. “As I went through the script again, I saw that Hermes had all the lines and messages I wanted to convey."
She envisioned Hermes as an ageless figure transcending conventional gender norms, rather than a traditionally mighty god.
"This isn’t about playing a male or female character," Choi said. "It’s about embodying the spirit of Hermes. It’s a role that allows me to bring all the experiences of my career into one powerful performance."
Actor Choi Jung-won, who plays Hermes in the musical "Hadestown," poses prior to an interview with The Korea Times at Charlotte Theater in southern Seoul, Aug. 16. Korea Times photo by Choi Won-suk
She focused on the visual details to convey Hermes' timeless nature in extensive discussions with the production team.
"I wanted it to look neither male nor female, but like a person who has lived a very long time," Choi explained. To achieve this, she suggested a silvery short cut which not only set her apart from her concurrent role as Velma in "Chicago" but also underscored Hermes' otherworldly qualities.
"The Hermes costume is the same silver suit with feathers as other actors, but I suggested the pants to be baggier," she said, explaining how she opted for an androgynous style that minimizes the emphasis on a curvy woman's body.
Initially, Choi struggled singing Hermes' songs, which required performing in a lower, traditionally male vocal range. "At first, I cried a little because the energy felt so different and it was hard for me to sing in that deep, masculine register."
A turning point came during rehearsals when co-star Kim Soo-ha, who plays Eurydice, praised Choi for how her singing seamlessly matched her speaking tone, making the transition between dialogue and song more fluid.
"It was like a blockage was cleared when I heard that," Choi said. "I had been concentrating on how to sing louder in such a low pitch, but once I changed my approach, the sound flowed more naturally, and the lyrics came across more clearly."
Choi Jung-won, center, is the first female actor to play Hermes in the Korean production of "Hadestown" at Charlotte Theater in southern Seoul. Courtesy of S&CO
Humanistic approach
Now entering her late 50s, Choi said her approach to life and acting has taken on a more philosophical tone.
"I'm always thinking about why I perform, why I'm living, who I am," Choi said, reflecting on her motivations and the impact she wishes to have through her performances.
"When you're on stage, (an actor is) a doctor, a god, a teacher, a friend. And in 'Hadestown,' I play an actual deity,” she said. “For 35 years, I’ve watched the world from the stage, much like Hermes watches over humanity … But stepping into this role, I feel as if I’m living a new life with each performance."
Her interpretation takes a distinctly humanistic approach, based on the idea of Hermes as a guide who is approachable and relatable.
"I wanted my Hermes to be a friend to Orpheus, Eurydice and the audience, assisting them navigate their choices," Choi explained. "My goal was for Hermes to stand not above or below them, but alongside them as an equal."
Instead of reprimanding or giving orders, Choi Jung-won's Hermes offers gentle encouragement, saying, "It could happen, but let’s strive to do better this time." This approach underscores the theme of perseverance, recognizing past mistakes while fostering hope for future success.
"They’ve already been wrong 10,020 times, but they might succeed on the 10,021st attempt," she said. "Without this process, there wouldn’t be such a beautiful journey. Failure is more significant than success. It’s the challenge that’s beautiful. Even failure proves you tried. That’s the essence of ‘Hadestown.’"
Actor Choi Jung-won, who plays Hermes in the musical "Hadestown," poses prior to an interview with The Korea Times at Charlotte Theater in southern Seoul, Aug. 16. Korea Times photo by Choi Won-suk
Pioneering spirit
Choi stands as a trailblazing figure in the Korean theater scene, particularly for female actors who face limitations as they age. At 55, not only does she continue to captivate audiences, but she also juggles two contrasting characters in two of Seoul's hottest shows now — Velma in "Chicago" and Hermes in "Hadestown" — thanks to Korea's unique alternating principal role system.
"It's so much fun," she said, enjoying the challenge of switching between the high-energy, dynamic Velma and the more restrained, philosophical Hermes. "As an actor, I love the idea of transformation. It's what makes this job so exciting."
Velma is a role that Choi has become synonymous with, having embodied it for 24 years, and now performing it with even greater skill and enjoyment than ever before.
"I’m at my best right now and audiences even ask me to keep performing Velma until I’m 70," Choi said, defying the outdated notion that female actors must retire after a certain age or after having children.
She remembered how many predicted her career would decline after she turned 40, yet she continued to excel in roles like Donna and Velma, feeling as though "the world revolved around me." Now, with her portrayal of Hermes, Choi has unlocked another exciting chapter in her career.
Choi is committed to paving the way for future generations of female actors.
"If it took me 10 years to play a gender-bending role, my junior female colleagues could achieve it in five years because I blazed a trail," she said.
The actor envisions herself performing well into her 80s, determined to show that age is but a number when it comes to following one's artistic passion
"Expect great things from me at 80," she said, confident in her ability to keep singing and dancing on stage. "I think I can do it. I can do very well.”