TVXQ's Changmin debuts as musical actor in "Benjamin Button," expressing complex emotions and challenges of the new role.

The gravure of TVXQ's Changmin, who challenges musical actor, has been released. The production company of the musical "Benjamin Button," EMK Musical Company (hereinafter, EMK), recently released photos and interviews from the April issue of the performance culture magazine "THEATRE plus" in which Changmin participated. The musical "Benjamin Button" is a creative musical that EMK will newly present in 2024, based on the short story of F. Scott Fitzgerald, famous as the original work of the movie "The Curious Case of Benjamin Button." The musical "Benjamin Button" was selected as the final support work of the CJ Cultural Foundation's "STAGE UP" in 2021, and it is expected to be reborn glamorously by EMK. In the work, Changmin played the role of Benjamin Button, who is born as an old man and gradually becomes younger, and is convinced that the sweet spot of life that his mother taught him is the jazz club songstress Blue Le Monnier, and devotes his life to pursuing love with her. Changmin, who debuted as a member of TVXQ in 2003 and has been active as a singer and actor, is attracting attention by making his debut as a musical actor through "Benjamin Button." In the released gravure, he attracted attention with a lyrical atmosphere. The faint and deep gaze stimulates curiosity about his inner self, expressing the story he holds between the sunlight shining through the window. He seems to be lost in thought, and his deep gaze, which seems to transcend life, creates a melancholic atmosphere that seems to compress the special life of Benjamin Button, stimulating the sensibilities of the viewer. The musical "Benjamin Button" is directed by "puppets" to depict the special life of Benjamin Button, which reverses the flow of time, so puppets also appear in this gravure with Changmin, attracting attention. Changmin, who reaches out to the puppet, stares at it with an expression that seems to face his own life, and makes one feel his immersion in the character in the play. In the interview released with the gravure, he said, "It's a difficult work, but I wanted to challenge it. Recently, I've been thinking that even if I'm stressed, I should throw myself into a more intense place. It's a completely different area from before, so I'm very anxious and scared. I have very complex feelings." He confessed, "On the one hand, it's a time to ventilate my life. I've been active for a long time, 20 years, and I've gotten used to it, but I'm feeling new emotions while practicing the musical. It's becoming a chance for me to grow as a singer and as a human being." Regarding the puppets that appear in the work, he said, "I've expressed a lot with my body so far. I have to express the emotions of the characters in other ways, so I'm worried about how I can make an impact." He added, "I feel that it's really a great learning experience every time. I'm really grateful to be in this field." He continued, "Musicals are a completely new stimulus for me. As an actor standing on stage, I may be in a position like a new employee, and there may be parts that I feel are lacking. I'm doing my best to make sure there are no disappointing parts, and I'm working hard to make my efforts and sweat reach the audience. In this rapidly changing era, if there are people who are wondering what they should see and live for, I would be happy if 'Benjamin Button' became a hint. I want to deliver warmer times and learn to love life more." The musical "Benjamin Button" will open in Korea on May 11th and will be performed at the Seoul Sejong M Theater until June 30th.