People's Artist My Uyen tells the story of practicing historical musicals in the land of kimchi

(NLDO) - To create a milestone of success in her career journey with her Korean colleagues, People's Artist My Uyen confided:

From left to right: Musical theater artist Kim Jun Hyun (playing General Sang-han Jang), People's Artist My Uyen, and director Lee Jungnam at the rehearsal location.

Over the past few days, in South Korea, People's Artist My Uyen has been diligently rehearsing with an international team for the historical musical project "General Jang Han Sang". From South Korea, she sent images and information to the reporter of Nguoi Lao Dong Newspaper.

For her, this journey is not simply an artistic assignment, but a special milestone in her more than three decades of dedication to the stage.

People's Artist My Uyen practices amidst rain and wind.

People's Artist My Uyen recounted: "For the past four days, despite the unpredictable rain and wind, the crew has been rehearsing outdoors, where more than 100 artists, drummers, child singers, and dancers from Seoul, Busan, and many other cities have gathered. Music, lighting, projection screens, and choreography are all implemented synchronously in more than 20 consecutive acts."

"The heavy rain stops, but as soon as it subsides, everyone puts on their raincoats and runs for practice simultaneously; nobody complains. For them, the weather isn't an obstacle, but an opportunity to hone their agility and professionalism," she recounted.

People's Artist My Uyen in South Korea

Throughout this process, People's Artist My Uyen received dedicated support from her colleagues: artist Kim Jun Hyun (playing General Jang Han Sang) often took advantage of breaks to practice privately with her; choreographer Choi Junho was both serious and humorous, helping to make the rehearsal atmosphere more relaxed; and the costume team paid attention to every detail, from shoes to costumes.

It was this thoughtfulness that made My Uyen clearly feel the team spirit, discipline, and respect that her Korean co-stars had for her.

My Uyen's role promises to make a mark in international collaboration.

In the musical "General Jang Han Sang," People's Artist My Uyen played the role of the wife bidding farewell to her husband as he went to war. She made a prominent appearance in Chapter 7 – the climactic scene, requiring a blend of acting, singing, and dancing to evoke the emotion of separation.

People's Artist My Uyen works diligently at the rehearsal site for the musical.

This is also where director Lee Jung Nam places high hopes to portray the humanistic depth of the work. To fully express this, People's Artist My Uyen received support from musician Van Tu Quy (Ho Chi Minh City) in the Korean-Vietnamese dubbing. Notably, she will sing a traditional folk song, contributing to bringing the audience closer to the emotions of a woman during a moment of farewell.

My Uyen and her opportunity arose from a Vietnam-Korea stage exchange.

This artistic collaboration stems from a cooperation agreement between the Busan Theatre Association and the Ho Chi Minh City Theatre Association dating back to 2024. In April 2025, the Ho Chi Minh City theatre troupe performed the play "Comrade" in Busan, leaving a strong impression.

During their interactions, director Lee Jung Nam – the author and general director of the play "General Jang Han Sang" – noticed the talent and perseverance of People's Artist My Uyen.

He once frankly remarked, "Despite the language barrier, People's Artist My Uyen's emotions are still conveyed to the audience." The choice to cast her as the wife was based on that very impression.

People's Artist My Uyen and director Lee Jungnam at the rehearsal location.

My Uyen with a stage on the water and a challenging space.

The performances are scheduled to take place from September 11th to 14th at Gubong Park, Namdaecheon River, Gyeongbuk Province. This is a unique stage space on the water, combining 3D projection technology with the team from La Maison Productions (France).

The setting was both grand and harsh, requiring actors to have excellent control over both technique and emotion. "This is a true historical story, but it's told through many modern artistic languages. I believe this fusion will bring audiences both pride and subtle emotions," shared People's Artist My Uyen.

People's Artist My Uyen and musical theater artist Kim Jun Hyun (playing General Sang-han Jang) - according to My Uyen's assessment, this artist sings very well and acts very subtly and skillfully.

My Uyen, the flame-keeping spirit of the "5B" stage.

With over 30 years dedicated to the arts, People's Artist My Uyen has established her name through numerous roles and her management work at the Ho Chi Minh City Small Stage Theatre (also known as the "5B" small stage).

Since graduating from the Ho Chi Minh City University of Theatre and Film in 1995, she has chosen a persistent path, simultaneously performing on stage, directing, and organizing to keep the stage lights shining. Participating in the musical "General Jang Han Sang" opened a new door for her personal artistic journey, marking a milestone in Vietnamese-Korean cultural exchange.

And as she acknowledged, this was an "important trip" – where Vietnamese artists were able to participate in the international art scene, thereby further nurturing faith in the vitality of Vietnamese theater today.

"During the period when Ho Chi Minh City is promoting the cultural industry, My Uyen's participation in international exchanges is a crucial factor. We expect her to work wonders for the integration of theater in the region," said Meritorious Artist Ca Le Hong.

Source: https://nld.com.vn/nsnd-my-uyen-ke-chuyen-tap-luyen-nhac-kich-lich-su-tren-xu-so-kim-chi-19625091007390213.htm