Lee Hae-jun Finds Empathy for 'Roger' in 'Rent' Amidst Pain and Self-Blame

Musical actor Lee Hae-jun is embodying the character of 'Roger,' an artist grappling with deep-seated pain and self-recrimination, in the musical 'Rent.'

Lee is portraying Roger in the 10th season of 'Rent,' a stark contrast to the beloved and respected figures he played in recent musicals like 'Beethoven,' 'Mozart!,' 'Marie Antoinette,' and 'Rose of Versailles.' His portrayal captures Roger's volatile emotions – his tenderness and devotion in love juxtaposed with moments of emotional outbursts, all conveyed through nuanced performances that command audience attention.

Describing Roger as a "bird trapped in a cage," Lee explained that the character has shut himself off due to the guilt over his ex-girlfriend's death, which he blames himself for. The narrative sees Roger drawn out of his darkness by friends living on the fringes of society, facing prejudice for their involvement with issues like homosexuality, AIDS, and drug use. His encounter with 'Mimi' serves as a crucial turning point in his life.

Lee admitted to experiencing periods of melancholy while deeply immersed in the role. "I found myself feeling inexplicably sad," he confessed. However, crucial advice from Jang Ji-hoo, who previously played Roger, helped him navigate the character's complexities. "Jang Ji-hoo shared his own experiences of overcoming the character's struggles, telling me I was brighter than I thought," Lee recalled. "Once I could empathize with Roger's pain, feeling that his reactions were understandable, approaching the character became easier."

"'Rent' ultimately teaches us that solidarity is our strength," Lee shared. "It's a production that highlights the preciousness of 'togetherness,' showing how we support each other and move forward." He extended an invitation, "I hope many people will visit the theater and spend a warm winter."

'Rent' is playing at the COEX Artium in Gangnam-gu, Seoul, until February 22nd of next year.

Korean netizens are showering Lee Hae-jun's performance with praise, commenting, "He seems completely immersed in the role of Roger," and "This is a performance only Lee Hae-jun could deliver." Many also shared their emotional responses, with comments like, "I cried during the show," and "It makes me want to be better to the people around me."