{"id":2250633,"date":"2026-01-26T08:16:21","date_gmt":"2026-01-26T08:16:21","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/celebrity.land\/en\/?p=2250633"},"modified":"2026-01-26T08:16:21","modified_gmt":"2026-01-26T08:16:21","slug":"universal-ballet-principal-dancer-returns-to-stage-to-play-billy-elliot-but-this-time-as-an-adult","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/celebrity.land\/en\/universal-ballet-principal-dancer-returns-to-stage-to-play-billy-elliot-but-this-time-as-an-adult\/","title":{"rendered":"Universal Ballet principal dancer returns to stage to play Billy Elliot \u2014 but this time as an adult"},"content":{"rendered":"

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From left: Actors Jo Yun-woo, Kim Woo-jin, Lim Sun-u, Kim Seung-ju and Park Ji-hoo, who play the role of Billy in the musical \u201cBilly Elliot,\u2033 pose for a photo during a press conference at Chungmu Arts Center in Jung District, central Seoul, on Jan. 21. [YONHAP]<\/p>\n<\/p><\/div>\n

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Sixteen years after he first appeared onstage as a child dancing his way out of hardship in “Billy Elliot,” Lim Sun-u has returned to the musical as its adult lead.
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Lim, now 26 and a principal dancer with the Universal Ballet, played the young Billy in the production\u2019s 2010 debut in Korea. In the current revival, he takes on the role of Billy as an adult, completing a rare full-circle journey that closely mirrors the musical\u2019s story.
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Set in a poor coal-mining town in Britain in the 1980s, “Billy Elliot” follows a boy who discovers ballet and pursues his dream despite social and financial barriers.
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For Lim, the role marked the beginning of his own artistic path. He has since become one of Korea\u2019s leading ballerinos, a transformation that members of the production team describe as unusually literal.
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Park Myung-sung, producer of “Billy Elliot” and head of musical company Seensee, called Lim\u2019s return a \u201cmiracle.\u201d\u00a0
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\u201c’Billy Elliot’ is more than a production. It helped build the foundation of Korean musicals and nurture talent,\u201d Park said. \u201cLim Sun-u\u2019s return as the adult Billy is a moment that proves Billy\u2019s growth in real life as well.\u201d
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“Artwork has become a reality,” said Tom Hodgson, the show\u2019s international associate choreographer.\u00a0
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Lim spoke about the role at a press conference held Wednesday at Chungmu Arts Center in central Seoul\u2019s Sindang-dong neighborhood. He said he had imagined returning to the musical long before the opportunity arose.
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\u201cSixteen years ago, I thought that if I ever became a ballerino, I would want to play the adult Billy,\u201d he said. \u201cWhen I received a call from [associate choreographer] Shin Hyun-ji two years ago, I thought this might be a once-in-a-lifetime chance, so I decided to do it.\u201d
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Cast members perform a ballet ensemble during a showcase of key scenes from the musical \u201cBilly Elliot\u201d at D-cube Arts Center in Sindorim-dong, Guro District, western Seoul, on Dec. 6, 2017. [NEWS1] <\/p>\n<\/p><\/div>\n

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The musical is based on the 2000 film of the same name and premiered in Britain in 2005. It opened in Korea in 2010 and later returned in 2017 and 2021. The current production marks its first staging in five years.
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In this run, Lim plays the adult Billy, while Shin Hyun-ji, who portrayed the role in earlier Korean productions, now works with the domestic associate choreography team.
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Lim said his experience with Billy Elliot influenced him beyond technique.\u00a0
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\u201cThe acting and singing I learned while doing Billy have been a huge help, even in my life as a dancer,\u201d he said. \u201cAfter I joined the ballet company, I suffered a leg injury and couldn\u2019t dance for three years. During that time, I thought of Billy and got through it.\u201d
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He added that colleagues at the ballet company supported his decision to return to musical theater. \u201cIt may be physically demanding, but I plan to keep up with my ballet schedule as planned,\u201d he said.
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Lim Sun-u, center, and other cast members who play the role of Billy in the musical \u201cBilly Elliot\u2033 pose for a photo during a press conference at Chungmu Arts Center in Jung District, central Seoul, on Jan. 21. [YONHAP]<\/p>\n<\/p><\/div>\n

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The production is also known for its long and rigorous audition process for child actors. Candidates receive training in dance, acting and singing before final casting. After a year and six months of auditions, four boys \u2014 Kim Seung-ju, 13; Park Ji-hoo, 12; Kim Woo-jin, 11, and Cho Yoon-woo, 10 \u2014 were selected to play Billy.
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When they heard they had been chosen, the boys thought it was a lie. It felt like a \u201cdream,” the boys said.
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Kim Seung-ju, the oldest of the four, referred to a line from the show.\u00a0
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\u201cIn the musical, Billy is asked what it feels like to dance, and he says it\u2019s something he can\u2019t put into words, that it feels thrilling, like sparks flying,\u201d Kim said. \u201cI feel the same way. It\u2019s something thrilling.\u201d
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Watching the young performers at the press conference, Lim offered encouragement.\u00a0
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\u201cThere will be difficult moments, but just being cast as Billy is something to be proud of,\u201d he said. \u201cWhen things get hard, I hope they remember: \u2018I am Billy,\u2019 and push through.\u201d
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The musical opens April 12 at Blue Square in central Seoul\u2019s Hannam-dong neighborhood and runs through July 26. <\/p>\n

This article was originally written in Korean and translated by a bilingual reporter with the help of generative AI tools. It was then edited by a native English-speaking editor. All AI-assisted translations are reviewed and refined by our newsroom.<\/i>
BY HA NAM-HYUN [[email\u00a0protected]<\/a>]<\/p>\n<\/div>\n