'I find something new about her each time': How Cho Jung-eun became Fantine in 'Les Miserables'

Actor Cho Jung-eun reflects on the musical of 'Les Miserables' and her portrayal of Fantine.

Actor Cho Jung-eun as Fantine in the ongoing production of "Les Misérables" at Blue Square in Yongsan District, central Seoul [LES MISERABLES KOREA]

The most fundamental questions — like what we want to do, or where our values lie — are often the most difficult to answer, let alone to face head-on.

Actor Cho Jung-eun, who plays Fantine in the musical “Les Misérables,” sees the show's greatest virtue as the fact that it asks those tough questions and takes the audience on a spiritual journey in the process.

“It gets people to really reflect on these hard but necessary topics and I think that is what makes this show truly great,” Cho told the press in Yongsan District, central Seoul, on Monday.

“Les Misérables” is based on Victor Hugo's 1862 novel of the same title which follows the life of runaway prisoner Jean Valjean in 19th-century France.

A scene from the ongoing production of "Les Misérables" at Blue Square in Yongsan District, central Seoul [LES MISERABLES KOREA]

Cho's character, Fantine, is a grisette abandoned by her husband. Cho spends just over 15 minutes onstage, but her presence far exceeds her stage time, especially during her iconic number, “I Dreamed A Dream.”

“‘I Dreamed A Dream’ is just one song — but, to me, it feels like an entire show,” she said. “There are so many stories underlying the song, and the entire drama of Fantine is in the song. This is my third time playing her, but I find something new about her each time I sing the song.”

Actor Cho Jung-eun as Fantine in the ongoing production of "Les Misérables" at Blue Square in Yongsan District, central Seoul [LES MISERABLES KOREA]

Her work in the show also doesn’t end after Fantine dies. Cho gets her makeup redone immediately afterward and transforms into an ensemble member.

“I haven’t been part of musical ensembles for a while now, but I really enjoy it,” she said. “It’s great to work with such talented fellow actors, and I have a lot of fun. It’s also nice that I get to be part of the show until the end.”

Cho has been in the business for 24 years now. She is best known for playing Mina in the fantasy-action “Dracula” and Emma in the gothic “Jekyll and Hyde.”

Fantine is an outlier compared to her signature roles, which have been very demure and ladylike. But the actor said that she doesn’t limit herself to certain characters and always tries to bring something extra to whatever she is playing.

“My real personality isn’t like those characters, and I always try to bring a bit of myself into my roles and strive to interpret whoever I am playing on stage as more dimensional and interesting,” she said. “I don’t limit myself to feelings like anger or frustration just because these characters [in the script] appear like textbook-perfect people. Even textbook-perfect females can be angry and get mad!”

It has taken a long time for Cho to get to this place of confidence in her career, however.

For the first half of her professional life, she was constantly doubting herself, to the point that she felt unworthy of receiving applause during curtain calls.

“I was focused on my weaknesses for a very long time and very seriously considered giving up musical theater,” she said.

Character poster showcasing Cho Jung-eun as Fantine of "Les Misérables" [LES MISERABLES KOREA]

The aspect with which she struggled the most was the feeling that she was playing people, and acting out scenarios, that she didn't fully understand.

“I felt like I was always pretending on stage — acting like I know about things that I had no idea about,” she said. “This was incredibly agonizing, and I hated doing it.”

She took a six-month break from musical theater, contemplating whether it was really what she wanted to do — and the answer was yes. She returned as Mina of “Dracula” in 2014 when she promised herself that she would ask questions until she had all her answers.

“I was determined not to pretend anymore and started to take a more active role in shaping her characters on stage instead of just following the director’s decision. And once I did that, I found joy in the job,” she said.

Character poster showcasing Cho Jung-eun as Fantine of "Les Misérables" [LES MISERABLES KOREA]

Now that she's portraying Fantine, Cho is able to fully appreciate the applause, possibly more so because she knows that it is likely her final chance to play the character.

“The last time this show was staged in Korea was eight years ago, and considering my age, there is a good chance that the upcoming Daegu production is the last time I will be going on stage as Fantine,” she said.

“I feel lucky to have been able to play her and very happy these days because I still have some shows left.

“I am also grateful because the show’s message and story have made me realize that I want to live my life with will. It made me realize that I wanted to live a life that fits my vision and not someone else’s vision.”

“Les Misérables” will play at Blue Square’s Shinhan Card Hall in Yongsan District, central Seoul, through March 10 and then at Daegu’s Keimyung Arts Center from March 21 to April 7.

BY LEE JIAN [lee.jian@joongang.co.kr]