HUI transforms into James Dean for musical 'James Byron Dean: The Original'

Singer HUI is undergoing a complete character transformation as he prepares to take on the role of the legendary James Dean in the musical 'James Byron Dean: The Original.' According to a recently released behind-the-scenes video of the profile shoot, HUI dyed his hair blonde to better immerse himself in the role, marking his return to the musical stage after approximately one year.

"Capturing James Dean's sensibility"... A chic gaze with blonde hair

In the video, HUI explained that the hair color change was a deliberate choice to remain faithful to the essence of James Dean. During the shoot, he showcased the icon's signature style, featuring a red jacket, jeans, and a white T-shirt. While modeling a denim-on-denim look, he noted, "The key is popping the collar," as he worked to channel the character's signature tough sensibility.

Throughout the session, HUI utilized various props, such as hats, and experimented with different moods by removing his jacket to capture the character's complex atmosphere. The video highlights the striking contrast between his intense immersion in character during the shoot and his relaxed demeanor once the cameras stopped rolling.

Pair shoot with actor Hwang Du-hyeon... "Finding the right angle for eye contact"

The session also featured a pair shoot with actor Hwang Du-hyeon, who portrays the role of 'Byron.' Despite meeting for the first time, HUI demonstrated professional poise as he coordinated eye contact and positioning with Hwang. The footage captures the two actors sharing intense glances and portraying moments of frustration separated by a wall. While working with Hwang, HUI joked about the difficulty of finding the right angle, saying, "When I look into hyung's eyes, I end up looking up too much."

"I resemble someone with severe self-censorship"... Determination for his return to the stage

Following the shoot, HUI shared his deep interpretation of the role. "I tried to live as that person, thinking about what kind of stories or thoughts James would have had at this moment," HUI said. He also noted a personal connection to the character, citing a shared tendency toward "severe self-censorship." He added, "I felt a sense of wondering why James lives such a tiring life," noting that the way fans offer him "self-praise" feels similar to the character's internal struggle.

To ensure total immersion, HUI even vowed, "I will sleep wearing this red jacket during the month and a half of the performances." The musical 'James Byron Dean: The Original' is scheduled to run from September 15 to October 18.