Joomin Hwang, right, as Francois and Paulo Szot, left, as Francois' father Lance take a bow during the Broadway musical "& Juliet" at Stephen Sondheim Theatre in New York City on April 23, 2023. Hwang became the first native Korean to step into a non-Asian specific principal role on Broadway. Courtesy of Joomin Hwang
NEW YORK — In the glittering world of Broadway, where stars are born and legends are made, Joomin Hwang is blazing a trail, transcending cultural and ethnic barriers in casting.
Hwang made history on April 23, 2023, as the first native Korean to step into a non-Asian specific principal role in the musical "& Juliet." Serving as the understudy for Francois while performing in the ensemble, he exemplifies the growing diversity transforming Broadway's stages.
In the hit musical that brilliantly rewrites Shakespeare's tragedy with a "what if" twist — where Juliet survives the iconic ending of "Romeo and Juliet" and seeks a second chance at life and love — Hwang shines as Kempe, a spirited ensemble known for his zest. His beaming smile and fluid dance moves radiate an infectious energy that captivates the audience, as the show's original Broadway cast since November 2022.
From Seoul to New York
Joomin Hwang / Courtesy of Joomin Hwang
Hwang's artistic journey began in Korea, not on stage, but as a breakdancer. His passion for musical theater was ignited after watching "Billy Elliot" in London's West End, which prompted him to shift his focus from dance to theater.
In Korea, Hwang starred in musicals such as "March of Youth" and "Bibap," where he leveraged his dance skills in the late 2000s. However, he felt the need to improve his vocal skills, leading him to enroll at Myongji Conservatory. It was there that a professor recognized his potential and encouraged him to set his sights on Broadway.
Motivated by this advice, Hwang made a bold decision to pursue his studies abroad, transferring to the University of Wisconsin at the age of 28.
"It was a late start for an actor and my English was far from perfect," he recalled during an interview with The Korea Times in late April at a cafe near Stephen Sondheim Theatre, where "& Juliet" is staged in the heart of Broadway.
"However, with limited opportunities for auditions in Korea, I couldn't see a bright future as a musical actor there. So, I thought, why not try the U.S.?"
After completing his training in Wisconsin, Hwang moved to New York, the epicenter of the global theater scene.
The transition from the hierarchical Korean theater environment to the collaborative and often more liberal Broadway scene was challenging, but it was in New York where Hwang learned to navigate and eventually thrive within this new dynamic cultural and professional landscape.
"Being here, it's definitely very well structured because Broadway is where modern musical theater started," Hwang said. "I love learning here and it's fun. I like the way I'm systematically improving," he said.
"There are many good teachers in Korea, but I feel like they have limited solutions for students to solve problems. Here, teachers offer more fun ways of practicing with a wide range of exercises."
This open atmosphere allows Hwang to benefit from diverse teaching styles and perspectives.
"When I practice, sometimes I feel like I'm stuck in learning and then I can go to other teachers to learn," he said, adding that he is currently learning from three different teachers.
Hwang's long-awaited Broadway debut came in 2018 with the musical "The Prom." He vividly remembers a particularly memorable November night that year, when the opening night performance was delayed due to a winter storm in New York City.
"It was an unforgettable moment. Director Casey Nicholaw brought those of us making our Broadway debut in front of the curtain — there were 13 of us plus two swings — and the audience gave us applause," he said.
Amid the excitement and the nerves of debut, Hwang stood out as the only Asian cast member of "The Prom" and this distinction made the experience even more significant for him.
"I have a picture of that night hanging in my house. It made me feel like I could make it on Broadway," he said. "I had visa issues and everything, but I think it was a moment of conviction about my path on Broadway."
Joomin Hwang, left, as Francois, and Justin David Sullivan as May take a bow during the Broadway musical "& Juliet" at Stephen Sondheim Theatre in New York City, May 18. Courtesy of Joomin Hwang
Journey with '& Juliet'
With Weber appointed to choreograph the Max Martin jukebox musical, Hwang joined the early stages of the Broadway production, beginning with a tryout in Toronto in May 2022.
In this "Romeo & Juliet" reimagined musical, Hwang was tasked with covering the role of Francois, a French boy who initially engages romantically with Juliet but later comes to terms with his sexual orientation, diverging from Juliet.
This was a departure from any role Hwang had portrayed before, especially as it was not defined by his ethnicity. He dedicated considerable time to rehearsals and working closely with the creative team to shape his own interpretation of Francois.
"There's a lot of freedom to create my own version of the character, which has allowed me to grow significantly," he said. "I used to wonder if I could handle a principal role on Broadway, but this experience has shown me that I can."
Hwang aimed to stay true to the script while infusing his interpretation with a sense of purity and innocence.
"Francois is innocent and doesn't know what he wants to do when he grows up. He likes music, so he uses music as a tool for self-expression. There also is a conflict with his father, who wants him to be a typical, strong male figure, but Francois is trying to discover his own path."
This internal struggle and journey of self-discovery were central to Hwang's portrayal of Francois.
Given the musical's contemporary and pop-centric vibe, Hwang diligently prepared to bring Francois to life.
"It's a pop jukebox musical, so I studied with a pop vocal teacher to learn proper pop vocalization techniques — a whole different world," he said.
Joomin Hwang poses at the 2023 Tony Awards at the United Palace in New York City, June 11, 2023. It was Hwang's second time performing at the Broadway's most prestigious award ceremony, following his appearance in 2019 with "The Prom." Courtesy of Joomin Hwang
Performing on Broadway as a non-native English speaker adds an extra layer of difficulty. He worked with a pronunciation coach to master clean, modern enunciation as well. "& Juliet" uses contemporary speech similar to current TV shows, not the Shakespearean dialogue, which posed a unique challenge for Hwang.
"The pronunciation was more difficult for me, so I put a lot of time into learning it."
The meticulous preparation required Hwang to plan every aspect of his performance, from acting and singing to dancing and pronunciation.
"It's like I have it all planned out and I have to be laser-sharp. If I miss a beat, my accent might slip," he said. "I need to focus intensely on the show and stay in character, but I sometimes find myself thinking about my accent."
Hwang was worried about stepping into the role of Francois in the beginning.
"But the power and the message of '& Juliet' gave me a lot of strength," he said. This strength translated into confidence on stage, where he could see the audience's reaction to his performance.
One of the rewarding aspects of his experience has been the feedback from Asian audience members at the stage door, which often touches on broader themes of Asian representation in the arts.
"It's not just about my role or my abilities. It's about Asian representation on Broadway," he said.
Hwang is also striving to expand his career beyond the Broadway stage. In February, he signed with the United Talent Agency, setting his sights on opportunities in both Hollywood and Korea.
"We're discussing potential activities in Korea since the roles available to me in Hollywood would currently be limited. Gaining greater visibility in Korea could create synergy for my acting career in the U.S. That's my aim for the next five years, while maintaining my base on Broadway," he said.
Beyond his personal career goals, Hwang is passionate about fostering talent that bridges the Korean and American entertainment industries. "It's challenging to find people from Korea who want to come to Broadway through networking," he said. "I want to found an academy for Korean talents who want to make their way into the U.S. In a way, I feel it's my role to make these connections."
While expanding his career, Hwang is steadfast in his decision to stay in New York, despite any challenges, demonstrating his commitment and passion for Broadway.
"I probably won't leave New York no matter how hard it is," he said. "The best thing is that the actors I work with are so good that they inspire me and make me want to do better. They inspire me every day."