How Kim So-hyang became first Asian in 'Sister Act'

Dene Hill, left in front row, as Deloris Van Cartier and Kim So-hyang as Sister Mary Robert in the international tour of "Sister Act" / Courtesy of EMK Musical Company

By Kwon Mee-yoo

Kim So-hyang, also known as Sophie Kim, is living the dream every day. The Korean stage actress is the only Asian cast in the international tour of the Broadway musical “Sister Act,” now playing at Blue Square in Hannam-dong, Seoul.

The musical revolves around nightclub singer Deloris Van Cartier, who hides in a convent after witnessing a murder. In the convent, Deloris brings unexpected changes by teaching the nuns’ choir.

Sister Mary Robert, played by Kim, is a postulant and the youngest in the convent. At first she is shy, but she starts to find her voice while singing with Deloris and finally steps up to raise her voice for the first time in her life.

Starting in May 2017, Kim has been captivating the eyes and ears of audiences in Singapore, the Philippines and Japan with her unbelievably powerful voice hidden behind her bashful character.

However, she did not expect much from the audition because “Sister Act” centers on an African-American lead and racial jokes between black and white people.

“My Korean agent suggested I audition for the show since it will be touring Asia. I told her Sister Act wouldn’t cast Asian actors, but I had a gleam of hope as the influx of Asian tourists in Broadway influenced more shows to cast actors of Asian descent,” Kim said at an interview with The Korea Times on Dec. 28.

Kim originally auditioned for the ensemble and the cover of Sister Mary Robert, who plays the role when the regular actress is out.

“I didn’t expect much. A few days after the audition, my American agent called me and told me they had received a contract for me as Sister Mary Robert. I squealed with delight and jumped for joy on the streets of New York,” the actress recalled. “It was one of my dream roles. Sister Mary Robert is such a lovely character and her solo number is very popular among young actresses. I couldn’t have imagined me playing Sister Mary Robert in an American production.”

Sister Mary Robert is obedient, shy and soft-spoken among others in the convent and Kim said being from the “Eastern Land of Courtesy” helped her understand the character better.

“As I’m not perfectly fluent in English, I don’t talk very much and tend to study other people’s countenances. However, I can belt out a number powerfully when singing, so the casting directors found Mary Robert in me,” Kim said.

Kim had to leave the show temporarily during its Chinese run due to the frosty relations between Korea and China. “I was sad and angry. How could politics restrict artistic activities?” she said. “But while out of the show, I had chances to audition for another show in Korea, so it was lucky for me, too.”

Kim So-hyang as Baroness Mary Vetsera in the musical "Rudolf -- The Last Kiss" / Courtesy of EMK Musical Company

From Seoul to New York

In her 20s, Kim was a prolific actress. She debuted as Sonia in “Godspell” in 2001 and took part in many musicals including Mimi in “Rent,” a cover of Aida in “Aida,” the Mistress in “Evita” and Lorrel in “Dreamgirls.” She starred in show after show without taking much of a break.

“I was born and raised in Daehangno (Seoul’s theater district). It was natural for me to dream of singing, acting and becoming an artist and I never doubted my identity as an artist. However, while playing so many roles on stage, I felt I was not an artist,” Kim said.

“Back then, I was greedy -- I wanted more people to know about me and I pushed myself too hard. Such a style had some advantages, but I was so hard on myself. If I had been more educated and had worked with a positive attitude, I could’ve done it better, but I was young and just rushed in without properly understanding what I was doing.”

Such thoughts prompted Kim to seek a change, and when she saw an advertising poster for the New York Film Academy while visiting New York, she decided to apply.

“I was scared of being stagnant. I played so many roles on stage, but I wondered whether I created something of my own or just memorized songs and dance moves,” the actress said.

Kim’s portfolio earned her admission as well as a scholarship, which helped her make the impulsive decision to give up everything in Korea and head to the States as a student.

“I didn’t want a degree but something more practical. The New York Film Academy’s Musical Theatre School provided exactly what I wanted,” Kim said. “I learned the history of musical theater as well as how to dance, act and use my voice. I was also exposed to various acting skills such as the Meisner technique, which totally changed my way of acting.”

Upon graduating from school in New York, Kim seized opportunities to perform in productions at regional theaters such as “The King and I,” “Miss Saigon” and “Oliver!”

“As I starred in musicals in the States, I became known in Korea as a Korean actress working in American theater. I wanted to live up to that and it made me work even harder.”

She was smart enough to understand the importance of the Actors Equity Association and the status of Asian actors in the States.

“There are very few roles or musicals in which actors of Asian descent can perform. However, when one door shuts, another opens,” Kim said.

“When the casting directors for Miss Saigon in Chicago were looking for actors, they gave non-Equity actors an audition because there were few Equity members of Asian descent. I was cast in the supporting role Gigi and was able to register for the union. Being Asian has its strengths and weaknesses in the theater in the States,” Kim said.

Kim returned home in glory in 2014 to play Mozart’s wife Constanze in the Austrian musical “Mozart!” and Marie in the musical rendition of “Woyzeck.” Since then she has been sharing her times in the States and Korea.

After wrapping up the “Sister Act” tour in Seoul, Kim will reveal a completely different side, playing Baroness Mary Vetsera in the Frank Wildhorn musical “Rudolf -- The Last Kiss” at the LG Arts Center in southern Seoul.

The actress finds happiness from completing each performance. “When I land a role I really wanted to play, when I sing the song I really love on stage, when I stare into my fellow actor’s eyes, I feel a sense of accomplishment and that inspires me to be on stage,” Kim said.