In this blog post, I’ll summarize how I prepared to become a musical theater actor, focusing on my academic efforts and school activities during high school, my experiences with empathy and collaboration, as well as my motivation for applying and my career plans.

Academic Experience and Reflections

Ever since I was a child, my dream has been to become a musical theater actor. To achieve this dream, I needed to practice singing consistently and maintain my physical fitness. However, as a student, I had to prioritize my studies, and I realized early on that foreign language proficiency was essential to achieving my ultimate goal of performing on international stages.
I didn’t find learning foreign languages particularly difficult until middle school, but as I entered high school, I began to feel the challenges more acutely. So, to improve my speaking skills, I attended an English conversation study group every weekend, and to expand my vocabulary, I memorized 20 English words a day on weekdays. Additionally, to improve my writing skills, I developed the habit of writing an English diary—even if it was just three or four lines—before going to sleep.
For the first two months, even writing a single sentence was a struggle, but as I persisted, I gradually found my voice and gained confidence. As a result of my efforts, I placed in an English speaking contest and saw my school grades improve, confirming my progress. As I experienced these achievements, learning English itself became increasingly enjoyable.
In my second year of high school, I chose Spanish as my second foreign language and began studying it. I approached learning Spanish in a similar way to English, but since it was difficult to find conversation classes, I practiced by obtaining listening materials and repeatedly listening to and repeating them. As a result, during an independent family trip abroad, I was able to communicate without a guide, making for an enjoyable and smooth trip.
During school breaks, I balanced singing practice with foreign language study, and occasionally helped my younger cousin with his English studies. Whenever I faced difficulties while starting something new and felt like giving up, I encouraged myself by thinking, “No one knows everything from the start; this is simply the process of learning what I don’t know,” and I persisted. As a result, I achieved tangible outcomes, such as improved grades and serving as a guide during family trips, and I learned the lesson that I can succeed at anything if I overcome my initial fears. Seeing how much I had grown filled me with pride and served as motivation for the future.

Major School Activities and Reflections

My first memory of being on stage was performing in a class choir at my middle school’s festival. Eager to experience that thrill again, I joined the school choir club as soon as I entered high school. Although my goal was to become a musical theater actor, I believed that choir—even if the vocal techniques and forms of expression differed—would be a great help in gaining stage experience.
Since I joined midway through my first semester of freshman year, I felt I was starting late, so I made sure to attend every practice without fail to catch up to my peers. Whenever I felt I was falling short, I would go to my music teacher to discuss areas needing improvement—such as pitch and breathing—and receive one-on-one guidance. The teacher naturally offered career advice as well and became a steadfast source of support.
Thanks to consistent practice, I earned the opportunity to perform a solo at our school festival, which allowed me to relive the exhilaration I felt in middle school. Later, before my junior year, I competed in a regional choir competition. Although I was nervous performing in front of people of various ages and a large audience, I trusted my team and gave it my all. Even though we didn’t win a prize, it was a deeply memorable and cherished experience for me personally.
The greatest lesson I learned through choir activities is that “believing in myself” and “consistent effort” are the driving forces behind personal growth. If I had given up halfway because I felt my skills were lacking, I wouldn’t have grown as much as I have today. While talent is important, if I had relied solely on it and neglected practice, my time in the choir would have been meaningless. On the contrary, the habit of practicing diligently helped me grow, and that experience was what motivated me to apply to the Department of Film and Musical Theater at Myongji University. That is why my time in the choir means so much to me.

Writing About Examples of Consideration, Sharing, and Cooperation, and My Reflections

In my literature class, we had an assignment where we formed groups of four to create and present a short skit, then evaluate each other’s performances.
To create a skit based on a single theme, the four of us had to align our opinions on selecting the topic, writing the script, and assigning roles—a process that carried the potential for conflict.
Before starting the assignment, our group divided the tasks: one person wrote the script, another gathered materials, and the remaining two made props. Through this clear division of labor and thorough discussion, we coordinated our opinions, and as a result, we were able to produce a final product that satisfied everyone.
What I learned from this experience is that even when opinions differ, an attitude of respect and consideration for others’ views prevents conflict and facilitates smooth collaboration. If we had each been selfish and insisted only on our own views, we would not have achieved our common goal and would have merely wasted time. Moving forward, I intend to maintain an attitude of cooperation by listening to others’ opinions rather than simply asserting my own. I will not forget that while there are things I can do alone, there are far more things I cannot do alone.

Efforts and Preparation Related to Motivation for Application and Career Plans

I am applying to the Department of Film and Musical Theater at Myongji University to pursue my childhood dream of becoming a musical theater actor. I was particularly drawn to this department because of its performance-centered curriculum, which offers opportunities to participate in world-class performances and events, and its systematic training program designed to cultivate professionals in the performing arts. I was also especially impressed by the fact that the program allows students to develop not only acting skills as musical theater actors but also planning and production capabilities.
If admitted, I will faithfully follow the department’s curriculum to build a solid foundation of basic skills. I will practice consistently and diligently without slacking off, aiming to become an actor capable of mastering any genre or song. Furthermore, I plan to watch one play or musical every weekend, observing and documenting other actors’ emotional expressions and acting techniques so I can make them my own.
Since attending performances every week as a student can be a financial burden, I plan to cover the costs by working part-time. If possible, I would like to work as a staff member for a theater company or musical production to understand the atmosphere on set and the perspectives of the crew; I want to become an actor who can empathize with the crew’s point of view once I become an actor myself. Of course, I will not neglect my academic studies either.
Although my academic plan has not yet been finalized in detail, one thing is certain: I will not lose the determination and passion I had when I first decided to become a musical theater actor, and I will continue to build my skills through consistent practice. If possible, I will also study production to become a versatile musical theater actor capable of taking on production roles in the future.