Currently starring in the emotionally intense play Star of Seoul, Bae Woo-hee, once known to K-pop fans as a member of girl group Dal Shabet, opened up about the challenges and revelations of portraying Jo Mi-ryeong, a third-rate nightclub singer carrying the weight of traumatic experiences.
Rehearsing every evening until 10 PM in Daehak-ro, Woo-hee is giving her all to a role that demands more than just acting chops — it demands emotional truth. “I’m learning so much from the senior actors,” she shared, referring to veterans Kim Myung-soo, Jung Eun-pyo, and Lee Moon-sik. “They memorize incredibly long monologues, prepare props, block movements themselves, and still manage to stay deeply connected to their characters. It’s humbling.”
Star of Seoul, which opens August 15 at Art House Daehak-ro, tells the story of three struggling individuals who live atop a rundown hill in Seoul. Despite hitting rock bottom, they begin to heal through understanding, human connection, and hope.
Woo-hee’s character, Jo Mi-ryeong, is a complex figure — outwardly glamorous and cheerful, but internally scarred by abuse. The character’s backstory includes sexual assault by a stepfather, emotional abandonment, and a life shaped by exploitation and self-doubt. “She can’t trust or love men,” Woo-hee explained. “She lashes out at Moon-ho, the man who tries to approach her. She blames herself for everything. Her walls are sky-high, and she hides behind humor and bitterness.”
Conveying such layered trauma has been the hardest part of the role. “As an actress, I had to immerse myself in pain I’ve never experienced,” she admitted. “It’s heartbreaking, not just difficult. There’s this deep well of sadness in Mi-ryeong, and I try to channel that — not by exaggerating, but by being truthful.” To understand the psychology of trauma victims, Woo-hee did extensive research. “I watch YouTube series like Diva Jessica’s ‘Saturday Mysteries’ and SBS’s Unanswered Questions. I study real-life cases — how victims behave, how they protect themselves emotionally. It helps me portray Mi-ryeong in a way that’s real, not stereotypical.”
She also reflected on the stigmas women face, especially those in entertainment. “Mi-ryeong is constantly harassed. She sings and dances, and people think that gives them permission to cross boundaries. That trauma isn’t always loud — sometimes it hides behind a smile.” Despite the role’s emotional weight, Woo-hee finds joy in the musical elements. “The nightclub scene at the beginning is a blast. I get to sing and dance — it reminds me of my idol days. That contrast — the bright opening and the dark reality — is what makes the play so powerful.”
Woo-hee’s theater journey started with Special Liar in 2021, followed by Love in Buenos Aires, and now Star of Seoul. Her transition from idol to actress has been marked by bold choices and impressive range. On screen, she’s appeared in dramas like Infinite Power, The Time We Were Not in Love, Good Partner, Hit the Spot, and Business Proposal, and in films like Tunnel 3D, Idol Recipe, Wolves, and Home for Summer.
With Star of Seoul set to run until October 26, audiences can expect a raw, heartfelt performance from Bae Woo-hee, who continues to evolve from idol star to actress of substance — embracing roles that challenge her and tell stories that matter.
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