INTERVIEW Jung U-ji, Lee Seo-young bridge past, present of Korean girl groups in 'SheStars!'

Jung U-ji, left, and Lee Seo-young

The musical "SheStars!" brings to life the stories of six iconic girl groups who paved the way for today's global K-pop sensation. The cast of 10 dynamic actresses includes Jung U-ji and Lee Seo-young, who have transitioned from K-pop idols to musical theater stars. Their unique experience in the K-pop scene enriches the show, adding layers of depth to their performances.

Night after night, six talented actresses take the stage to portray legendary Korean girl bands ― Jeogori Sisters, Kim Sisters, Korean Kittens, Lee Sisters, Bunny Girls and Hee Jamae.

Jung, formerly of K-pop girl band BESTie, slips into the roles of Kim Sook-ja from the Kim Sisters and Kim In-soon, better known as Insooni, from Hee Jamae. At the same time, Lee of Hello Venus fame portrays the celebrated entertainer Yoon Bok-hee, who once performed as part of the Korean Kittens, and the younger half of the iconic twins duo, Bunny Girls.

Interestingly, Jung initially knew little about these trailblazing girl groups despite her own background in K-pop.

"I was unaware of their incredible achievements. Breaking into the U.S. and international markets is a huge feat even for modern K-pop groups, but these women accomplished it decades ago. I believe I can pay homage to their legacy through this musical," Jung said in an interview with The Korea Times at Hongik Daehangno Art Center in central Seoul, Oct. 17.

One of Jung's earliest ventures into musical theater was her role as Deena Jones in "Dreamgirls," a show that delves into the African-American experience in the U.S. music industry, in 2015.

"Playing Deena made me yearn for a Korean musical that similarly celebrated our own pop music history. Now, with 'SheStars!' becoming a reality, I couldn't be happier to be a part of this show," she said.

Ha Eugene, left, and Lee Seo-young take on the role of 1970s K-pop act Bunny Girls in the musical "SheStars!" Courtesy of Seensee Company

Lee previously collaborated with Kolleen Park, "SheStars!" co-writer and director, in the musical "Next to Normal," where Park played a mother suffering from bipolar disorder opposite Lee as her daughter Natalie, longing for her mother's attention.

"When Park reached out to me about joining this project, I was thrilled, especially given my background in K-pop. I saw this show as an opportunity to educate the audience about these trailblazing women in K-pop history, while also providing entertainment," she said.

Lee added that she wasn't sure which role she would be assigned, but had a hunch she might portray one of the Bunny Girls when Park affectionately called her "bunbun" during a promotional photoshoot.

"I also ended up playing Yoon, in addition to the younger Ko of Bunny Girls. It then became clear that Kolleen had cast me specifically with Yoon in mind," Lee said.

Jung agreed with Park's casting choice, describing Lee as "small yet charismatic with a compelling husky voice," just like Yoon.

As for her portrayal of Insooni, Jung also said that she had a feeling she would land the role.

"I had once mentioned in an interview during my girl group days that Insooni was my role model. So, when I was cast, I was both astonished and deeply honored," Jung said. "The moment I put on the wig for Insooni, people around me said that I actually look much like her."

From K-pop to musical theater

Navigating between the K-pop industry and the theater world presents both similarities and challenges, according to Jung and Lee.

"The intense training we underwent in our girl group days has definitely prepared us for the intricate choreography and blocking in 'SheStars!' Especially as we're required to step into supporting roles, like other band members or dancers, apart from our main characters," Jung said.

Jung elaborated on the rigorous practice routine in the K-pop world. "We would dance the same routine up to 80 times a day, often in high heels. Rehearsing for this show brought back memories of those grueling practice sessions where achieving perfect sync was crucial. I believe that discipline is evident in our stage performances now."

Lee echoed, noting that their K-pop background became more evident during formation practices and fine-tuning of performance details.

"Yet, it is important to recognize that the era depicted in 'SheStars!' is vastly different from our own experience in girl groups. The trailblazing girl bands we portray had to manage everything themselves, while we had agencies and managers to handle the logistics. They had to record perfectly in a single take, whereas we have the luxury of multiple takes to get the best version and mix it," Lee said.

"Acknowledging these differences only increases my admiration for these pioneering K-pop musicians. I'm reminded of their extraordinary talent every night we perform."

Jung admitted that although she had heard of the Kim Sisters, she was unaware of their remarkable achievements in the U.S., their appearances on famous TV shows and their proficiency in multiple instruments.

"After watching some of their videos, I was amazed by their instrumental skills. The level of dedication and effort they must have invested is unimaginable. It's almost as if it would have been strange for them not to succeed given all that effort," Jung said.

Similarly, Lee was surprised to learn that the iconic "Ulleungdo Twist" was presented by the Lee Sisters.

"Everyone knows the song, but I didn't know it was the Lee Sisters who sang it. The Kim Sisters ventured overseas, but the Lee Sisters established a strong presence in Korea, recording over 200 songs within two years of their debut, excluding countless commercial tracks. Without pioneers like Lee Sisters, today's K-pop landscape might look entirely different," Lee said.

Jung U-ji plays Kim In-soon, better known as Insooni, from Hee Jamae in the musical "SheStars!" Courtesy of Seensee Company

Ups and downs

While "SheStars!" largely focuses on the triumphs and victories of the girl bands, Jung knows that every bright light casts a shadow. She initially debuted with EXID in 2012, a group that unexpectedly skyrocketed to fame after her departure. Jung founded a new group, BESTie, which found itself eclipsed by EXID's newfound stardom.

This gave Jung a unique perspective on the challenges Insooni faced when she transitioned to a solo career, leaving Hee Jamae after a brief period.

"Insooni rarely spoke about those times and I can see why she would be cautious about it," Jung said. "When my friends watched this show, they were moved to tears, telling me my own story echoed Insooni's. I won't claim to fully understand her experience, but I believe I can empathize with how she felt."

Lee identified her 20th year as a decisive moment that would feature if there was a show based on her life. Faced with her father's passing at that age, she had to abandon her initial course in classical vocal music.

"Despite the curveball, my love for music and singing remained. I was fortunate to quickly debut in the K-pop world after auditioning for agencies. When Hello Venus disbanded, I knew I couldn't abandon music, so I transitioned into musical theater. My brief stint in the 2008 musical 'Fiddler on the Roof' also contributed to leading me down this path," Lee explained calmly.

Jung also expressed a deep affection for music, recalling how her younger, timid self never believed she could perform before an audience, despite her innate love and talent for music.

"Now, standing and singing on stage requires a blend of pride, self-confidence and self-love," she said. "My journey had its highs and lows, but each experience was invaluable, whether it was positive or negative. There were struggles along the way, but I'm thankful for the lessons each one taught me."

A musical for everyone

The Korean pronunciation of the show's title is the same as the word "sisters," encapsulating the sisterhood among K-pop girl groups, both past and present. Jung and Lee said the cast has become like a family to them, similar to their own experiences in real-life girl groups.

Lee, who grew up with a younger brother, always dreamed of the sisterly bond she never had.

"I found my first 'sisters' in Hello Venus. We remain closely connected, talking in a group chat and meeting up monthly," she said, recalling her K-pop years as the main vocal of the sextet from 2014 to 2019.

"In 'SheStars!' I gained a second set of sisters. I can share my difficulties with them and they give me advice. It's like we're real sisters," Lee added.

Jung mused the idea of forming a girl band with actual family members, noting the unique dynamics it could bring.

"In the past, there were many musical groups composed of real-life family members. When I initially debuted as EXID, we were a group of close trainees who had previously been under JYP Entertainment. But I've always wondered what it would be like if we were an actual family. Sure, there might be more fights, but the bond of blood could bring a different element," she said.

Lee believes that "SheStars!" has universal appeal.

"This show is for everyone, regardless of age or gender. I believe it's even better if you attend with your parents or grandparents so you can share memories of Korea's musical history," Lee said.

Jung, meanwhile, encouraged audience members to immerse themselves fully in the performance.

"We invite the audience to rise and dance with us during the 'Ulleungdo Twist' scene. Feel free to shout and enjoy to the fullest. Your enthusiasm fuels our performance," Jung said.