Actor Park Ji-il shared that appearing in the musical “Once” was on his bucket list. At a press conference held on the 7th at the Shinswave Company rehearsal studio in Seocho-gu, Seoul, he expressed his excitement about his role in the musical, which he referred to as “the greatest gift” despite being the smallest role in his 40-year acting career.
“Once” is based on the 2007 film of the same name and tells the love story of a guitarist named “Guy” who has lost hope in love and a Czech immigrant labeled “Girl” who had to give up her dreams. The musical debuted on Broadway in 2012, winning eight Tony Awards including Best Musical and Best Director. It is set to return to audiences in Korea for the first time in 10 years, opening on February 19th at the COEX Shinhan Card Artium and running through May 31st.
Park Ji-il, the oldest member of the cast, plays the role of “Da,” the father of the protagonist “Guy.” Despite it being a supporting role with limited stage time, Park was eager to participate. He explained that he had always dreamed of performing on stage as a musician, as he loves playing the guitar and singing.
Despite being unsuccessful in the 2014 auditions for “Once,” Park’s determination did not wane. He practiced his musical skills intensively when he learned of the production’s return, leading to his successful casting this time. During the performance, Park will play the mandolin onstage.
Actor Yoon Hyung-ryul, who plays the role of “Guy,” also revealed that he had previously failed to get a part during the show’s initial auditions, attributing it to a lack of preparation. Park Ji-yeon, who reprises her role as “Girl,” noticed improvements from the original Korean production, especially thanks to the engaging script revised by playwright Hwang Seok-hee and collaboration from the project’s Korean director, Lee Ji-young.
The musical uniquely incorporates actors playing instruments live during the show, adding another layer to the performance experience. Before each show, the cast will treat the audience to a “pre-show” by playing instruments such as the guitar, accordion, mandolin, and cello.