Jeong Sun-ah stuns in Korea's 'Dracula: The Musical' as star, again

“When I was playing her before, I don’t think I fully understood the show’s charms and my character," Jeong told reporters last week. But she said she has a lot more fun playing the lead role now after having the chance to be part of its audience.

Actor Jeong Sun-ah plays Mina in the ongoing "Dracula: The Musical" at Charlotte Theater in Songpa District, southern Seoul [OD COMPANY]

It was 10 years ago when musical diva Jeong Sun-ah, 40, first became Mina, the depraved beau idéal of the gothic fantasy show “Dracula: The Musical.”

“I have a lot more fun playing the role now after having the chance to see the show as an audience member instead of a starring actor,” she told reporters last week in Seongdong District, eastern Seoul.

Jeong was part of the very first Korean production of “Dracula” in 2014 where she said she struggled to fully immerse herself in the show.

“When I was playing her before, I don’t think I fully understood the show’s charms and my character," Jeong said.

Jeong Sun-ah as Mina during a scene of the ongoing musical "Dracula: The Musical" [OD COMPANY]

It's understandable — “Dracula” is not one's everyday musical. It's about the life of a blood-thirsty monster, from his becoming to his demise, and is filled with very literal portrayals of Dracula’s superpowers and his affinity for sucking blood.

“Dracula: The Musical,” based on Bram Stoker’s 1897 novel, first opened in 2001 at San Diego’s La Jolla Playhouse and then on Broadway in 2004.

A scene from "Dracula: The Musical" [OD COMPANY]

The grand Victorian costumes, elaborate lighting, dramatic fog machines and 360-degree rotating stage in the Korean revival by OD Company thankfully and effectively complement the actors in the show.

The result before the audience is a fantastical production with gripping visuals and movie-like scenes. The show is one of the most loved musicals in Korea, with a 9.8 rating on local ticketing platform Interpark.

“I remember it being a hard show to rehearse in 2014, but coming back to play Mina after 10 years, I was surprised at how much better I understood all the layers of the plot,” Jeong said.

A scene from "Dracula: The Musical" [OD COMPANY]

A lot has changed for the actor in the past decade. Jeong has since become one of the most popular and successful female musical stars in Korea. She got married and, just over a year ago, gave birth to a daughter.

“I was genuinely worried whether I would be able to make it back on stage after giving birth because I knew that it could affect my body, health and voice,” she said. “There weren’t many people that I could ask around me and I was so afraid of the audience being disappointed by my performances after I returned.”

Jeong Sun-ah as Mina during a scene of the ongoing musical "Dracula: The Musical" [OD COMPANY]

She overcame her fears with rigorous effort. She lost more than 20 kilograms (44 pounds), exercised every day and took daily singing and dancing lessons.

Jeong returned to the stage in January last year, starring in the musical “If/Then,” the story of a woman, Elizabeth, seeking a fresh start in New York City while on the verge of turning 40 years old. She won Best Female Actor at the annual Korea Musical Awards in January for that performance.

“I am very happy because I feel like all of my hard work to return to the stage has paid off,” she said. “[Elizabeth from ‘If/Then’] will be one that I will cherish for a long time. She was very different from roles I previously played but someone who I relate to the most these days.”

Jeong made her debut in musical theater at the age of 19. Cast as Mimi in the Korean production of “Rent,” she quickly rose to stardom. She is best known by the local public through glitzy roles like Glinda in “Wicked” and Amneris in “Aida.”

Jeong Sun-ah as Mina during a scene of the ongoing musical "Dracula: The Musical" [OD COMPANY]

“If me in the past valued fame and my successes, today, I have a heavier sense of responsibility as a veteran member of the industry,” she said. “I want to become a professional who up-and-coming actors can look up to and pave the way for more actors to balance work and family. I want to show that it is possible to do both.”

“Dracula: The Musical” plays through March 3 at Charlotte Theater in Songpa District, southern Seoul.

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