Veteran actors take stab at forming choir in JTBC's new show, 'Hot Singers'

Clockwise from first row left are producer Shin Young-gwang and cast members Jun Hyun-moo, Choi Dae-chul, Lee Seo-hwan, Kim Kwang-kyu, Lee Jong-hyeok, Lee Byung-joon, Choi Jung-hoon, Park Joon-myeon, Seo Yi-sook, Woo Mi-hwa, Na Moon-hee, Kim Young-ok, Yun Yu-seon, Woo Hyun, and Kim Moon-jeong, during an online press conference of JTBC's new music show, “Hot Singers,” Monday. Courtesy of JTBC

By Lee Gyu-lee

Actors Kim Young-ok, Na Moon-hee, Jang Hyun-sung and Yun Yu-seon have had their fair share of on-screen experience, making names as veteran actors. These seasoned actors have recently stepped out of their comfort zone to take a shot at singing on JTBC's new show, “Hot Singers," which premiered Monday.

The new music show follows the journey of a group of celebrities ― 13 actors, including Kim and Na, singer Kwon In-ha and TV personality Jun Hyun-moo ― coming together to form a choir. The top musical director, Kim Moon-jeong, whose previous work includes musicals “Man of La Mancha” and “Mamma Mia,” and singer-songwriter Choi Jung-hoon take part to train and lead the choir.

It's created and led by producer Shin Young-gwang, who earlier produced hit music show “Hidden Singer.”

The producer expressed that he hopes viewers can find emotional resonance with the veteran actors' singing challenge.

“When older people sing, even though they are not singing with specific techniques or anything, it's like they are singing a piece of their life. I'm sure many of you have had an experience where you were touched by such sentiment,” Shin said during an online press conference for the series, Monday morning.

“Nowadays, there are so many survival shows in the entertainment industry, and I thought it would be nice to have a show about a choir. I hope that bringing these veteran actors together, not just to sing but to share their lives together, will give a pleasant resonance.”

Shin revealed that Kim Young-ok had inspired him to create this show, saying that he wanted to introduce a personal side of her to the viewers.

“We would often talk about our lives and Kim is such a good person. I wanted to create a show that involves her story,” he said.

A poster for the show, "Hot Singers" / Courtesy of JTBC

Kim, who has 65 years of acting experience, said the senior choir team drew her interest, although she barely has any background in singing.

“I thought it would be fun to gather a group of older people to make a choir. I was curious to see how the group will come together and was also worried. But once we started, everyone was beyond my expectations,” she said.

Na Moon-hee, who also has over 60 years of experience, said that she is enjoying the new opportunity.

“I've been feeling down as COVID-19 has continued for a long time. I was getting a lesson from my daughter who majored in singing when I got a call from Kim. And I said, 'I'll do it.' When I started, it was much harder, and I felt I wasn't the right fit for the position. But I've been very happy,” she said. “Time has just flewn by since I have taken part in this.”

Jun added that the show will have emotional, heartwarming moments that are rare to find in other survival music shows.

“There are a lot of music shows in Korea, most of which are survival shows, and I've hosted many of them. But I've never actually had the spotlight on stage (as a singer),” he said. “I've always wanted to experience it and when I did, it was difficult. I came to understand those who stand on stage as singers. This show will definitely be more sentimental than competition shows.”

“Hot Singers” airs on JTBC Mondays at 9 p.m.