Actor Kang Hong-seok's First Vlog: 8kg Weight Loss and Vocal Care Routine Behind the Scenes of Musical 'Elisabeth'

Actor Kang Hong-seok communicated with fans through his first vlog, which captures his preparation process and behind-the-scenes moments for the musical 'Elisabeth'.

"Building the Character by Losing 8kg"... Concerns Reflected in Visuals and Costumes

In the video, Kang Hong-seok revealed that he is doing his best regarding visual aspects to build the character for this production. He explained that he suggested to the director whether it would be good to wear earrings, and after hearing from the director that it might bring out the character's color, he tried various earrings. He stated, "I always do my best to find ways that can be a little helpful visually in building the character."

Specific changes regarding stage costumes were also mentioned. He explained the reason why he wore a gray top in existing promotional or stage videos, but ended up wearing a black T-shirt in the actual performance. Kang Hong-seok stated, "I sweat a lot during the performance, and since the appearance of being soaked looks very bad, I consulted with the costume designer and changed it to black." He also added that he lost about 8kg because he wanted to show a slim appearance in this work.

Over 1 Hour of Vocal Care and Pre-performance Routine

The thorough self-management process as a musical actor was also revealed. Kang Hong-seok explained that he is the type to focus on warming up his voice rather than having much conversation. He demonstrated the process of closing his vocal cords and the practice methods for producing high notes, performing a routine of warming up his voice for about 1 to 1.5 hours in the waiting room before a performance. He said, "I do a lot of work to close the vocal cords for vocal cord contact."

In the waiting room, he was shown using a portable cooling device to cool down, as well as using an item received as a gift from actress Lee Sung-kyung. He introduced the item as an "essential item that I always carry even on drama sets" and expressed that he uses it frequently.

Mistakes During the First Vlog and Reflections After the Performance

Kang Hong-seok shared an unexpected situation that occurred during the filming of his first vlog. He realized too late that he had continued talking for about 15 minutes without having pressed the video recording button. He expressed his disappointment, saying, "I talked for 15 minutes without recording, so you won't be able to see this part (as it is edited out)." On his way home, he expressed a desire to eat chicken and beer, and expressed regret that he had many serious conversations during those 15 minutes that can no longer be seen because they were not recorded.

After finishing the performance, he conveyed his gratitude to the audience. He vowed, "Thanks to so many audience members coming today, I was able to perform enjoyably," and "I will always be an actor who does my best on stage and sings until my throat bursts." He further announced that there are about two months of performance schedules remaining and encouraged those who have not yet experienced the musical to watch it.