Tap, Ballet, Acrobatics: Four Boys Share the Joy of Playing 'Billy Elliot'
Creatrip Team
24 days ago
Four young actors — Jo Yoon-woo (10), Kim Woo-jin (11), Park Ji-hoo (12) and Kim Seung-ju (13) — star as Billy in the Seoul production of the musical Billy Elliot. Since auditions began in September 2024, the boys completed a 60-week training program with daily rehearsals to master acting, tap dance, ballet and acrobatics and memorized an 80-page script and songs. The show, which opened April 12, has drawn 128,000 audience members over 93 performances; 30 shows remain.
The boys describe life as Billy as intense but rewarding. They supported each other like siblings, sharing practical help backstage and moral support. Each recalls a proud milestone — landing multiple ballet turns, completing a back-dumbling, or nailing high-difficulty flips — and some scary onstage mishaps, such as forgotten props, flying ballet shoes, and injured toes. Favorite scenes include the energetic “Electricity” number and emotionally charged ensemble songs like “Once We Were Kings” and “Grandma’s Song.”
Playing Billy has been transformative: one says the run was the happiest time of his life, another that the role renewed his father’s support for ballet and gave him new hope. The production runs through the 26th with tickets priced from 80,000 to 170,000 won. (Blue Square: a Seoul performance venue)
