“My challenges never stop” — Kim Junsu proves his limitless spectrum with Beetlejuice

Kim Junsu has once again rewritten expectations. Returning to the stage as the title character in the musical Beetlejuice, the performer revealed the fierce preparation, bold mindset, and unending desire for new challenges that continue to define his career.

A radical shift into full-scale comedy

Known for intense and charismatic roles such as Dracula and Sweeney Todd, Kim Junsu chose Beetlejuice to break a familiar perception.

He admitted that whenever he took on a new character, people would ask:

“Why Kim Junsu?” But once the curtain rose, the response always changed to praise.

This time, his goal was clear to prove there is no limit to his acting spectrum by fully conquering a genre he had never done before: a high-energy, fourth-wall-breaking comedy.

“I prepared with the mindset that if I succeed in this, no one will say those things again.”

His own version of Beetlejuice: a mischievous, lonely ‘golden child’

Rather than portraying the original character as a grotesque, seasoned figure, Kim Junsu rebuilt Beetlejuice with a different emotional core.

He described his interpretation as:

• childlike
• lonely
• hot-tempered
• yet somehow pitiful

—a mischievous “problem child” with depth.

By adjusting lines to fit his own tone and image, he created a version that feels both natural and emotionally convincing.

Breaking the fourth wall and his own limits

One of the musical’s defining elements is its constant interaction with the audience.
At times, Kim Junsu speaks not only as Beetlejuice but as himself, delivering ad-libs and even unexpected lines.

He confessed that this was initially embarrassing:

“Swearing or improvising in a public setting felt awkward at first, but after seeing the audience’s explosive reaction at the premiere, I felt reassured.”

The most physically and technically demanding role of his career

From rapid-fire monologues and massive amounts of dialogue to precisely timed slapstick movement, Beetlejuice pushed him to his limits.

During rehearsals, he said he regretted his decision more than ten times, calling it the most difficult process he had ever experienced but also the most rewarding.

Overcoming everything with momentum

The production is filled with complex stage mechanics and unpredictable situations.
Kim Junsu handles them with what he calls an “So what?” mindset, maintaining maximum energy so that even mistakes turn into moments of bigger laughter for the audience.

As performances continued, he found himself gaining more freedom on stage and enjoying the synergy with the cast and the audience.

A performer who enjoys the challenge itself

Looking ahead, Kim Junsu revealed that his plans are being discussed through 2028, signaling non-stop activities.

His philosophy remains simple:

“If the process of challenging myself isn’t enjoyable, there’s no fun in being an actor. I want to keep trying new things and prove on stage that those challenges were right.”

Until March 22 in Seoul

The musical Beetlejuice, based on Tim Burton’s iconic film and a Tony-nominated Broadway production, is currently running at LG Arts Center Seoul until March 22.

With this role, Kim Junsu is not just playing a character he is once again proving that reinvention is his true signature.