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By Jung-Ran Park, Intern Reporter
Photo Credit: Mam & I Reporter
The musical "Interview" held its run from February 10 to March 5, 2017, at the Off-Broadway St. Clement’s Theatre. Created by writer Jeong-hwa Choo and composer Su-hyeon Heo, it premiered in South Korea in 2016. Directed by Dimo Hyun Jun Kim, the first Korean to achieve this feat, the musical marks a significant milestone as it is the first Korean-written production to be adapted into English and performed Off-Broadway.
Meeting director Dimo Hyun Jun Kim, who courageously brought his work to Off-Broadway as the first Korean director, was an inspiring experience. Just seven months into living in New York with my younger sibling, the city I'd known only as a tourist had become starkly different from the one I began experiencing as a student. Kim, embodying confidence and genuine patriotism, pursued his goal to stage a Korean musical on Broadway. Despite being unpaid at times, he fervently worked to realize his dreams, which may likely prove to be his greatest lifelong asset.
Kim’s persistence taught my sibling and me not to wait passively but to actively pursue opportunities. The charm of New York, we realized through our interview with him, lies in being proactive. We find ourselves admiring this young director for not only excelling alone but for striving to thrive collectively.
After the final performance of "Interview," Director Kim posed for a photo with Mam & I reporter Jung-Ran Park at the theatre.
Mam & I: What was the motive behind creating the musical "Interview"?
Kim: "Interview" was a successful production in Korea. Often, Korean musicals adapt American works, but this time, we brought a well-received Korean piece to the U.S. with English adaptation. That’s the essence behind this project's planning.
Mam & I: How do you feel after completing the production?
Kim: We faced many challenges due to constraints, including financial issues. There were fears that the production might not conclude, but thankfully, we completed the five-week run. Due to budget limitations, we couldn't hire understudies, meaning the actors had to perform all eight shows weekly. Their resilience is commendable. The lead, in particular, never left the stage for 90 minutes, which worried me, but achieving 32 successful performances was a relief and a source of gratitude.
"Interview" was lauded for its psychological thriller elements during its domestic debut, later becoming a joint directorial venture with Joseph K, known for his work on the play “Q”. The musical held significance as the first Korean-written piece translated into English for an Off-Broadway audience. Curated by producer Suro Kim, the play gained recognition and appreciation in Japan’s Kyoto, with Suro Kim and Min-jong Kim as producers. Lead actor Josh Bardier received acclaim for his passionate portrayal of a character with multiple personalities.
The production unravels a decade-old murder case through its unique "interview" format, engaging audiences with suspense and shocking revelations rapidly unfolding on stage.
Dimo Hyun Jun Kim is a musical director and writer, leading the Dimo Kim Musical Factory. Recognized as the first Korean Off-Broadway director, his works include the notable productions "Comfort Woman" (2015), "Green Card" and "Flower Shoes" (2016), and "Interview" (2017).
