1. Early Life and Education
Na-Young Jeon's formative years and academic background provided the foundation for her artistic development.
1.1. Childhood and Upbringing
Born and raised in The Hague, The Netherlands, Na-Young Jeon began studying piano at the age of four. During her childhood, she was actively involved in numerous local theatre productions through the AlbA Theaterhuis in her hometown.
1.2. Education
Jeon pursued formal training at the Musical Theater Academy, Codarts in Rotterdam. During her studies, she took on leading roles in various musical theatre productions, honing her skills as a performer.
2. Career
Na-Young Jeon's professional journey encompasses her debut, significant roles in musical theatre across multiple countries, and diverse experiences in film, television, and music recordings.
2.1. Debut
Na-Young Jeon officially entered the performing arts scene with her debut in the musical Hamlet in 2005.
2.2. Musical Theatre
Jeon has an extensive career in musical theatre, performing in numerous productions and taking on key roles across different countries.
2.2.1. Activities in the Netherlands
Early in her career, Jeon established herself in the Dutch musical theatre scene. She notably played the role of Kelsi Nielsen in High School Musical in Tilburg in 2009, for which she received a nomination for a John Kraaijkamp Musical Award in the "Upcoming Talent" category. In 2011, she starred as Kim in the Dutch revival of Miss Saigon. She also appeared as Bianca in Kiss Me, Kate at Theatre M-Lab in Amsterdam in 2012. Her performances, including "Sun and Moon" as Kim at the Musical Awards Gala TV Show and "Last Night of the World" during the annual Uitmarkt in Amsterdam, were broadcast live on Dutch television.
2.2.2. UK and International Stage Activities
Jeon's career expanded significantly to the West End in the United Kingdom and other international stages. In June 2014, she portrayed Fantine in Les Misérables at the Queen's Theatre in London. For this role, she was nominated for a Broadwayworld UK / West End Award in the category of Best Performance in a Long-running West End Show. In July 2017, she took on the leading role of Lady Meng Jiang Nü in the new musical The Great Wall: One Woman's Journey in Singapore, a production directed by Darren Yap and composed by David Shrubsole. The following year, in 2018, she played Tuptim in The King and I during its revival at the London Palladium. She also performed as Gigi in the UK Tour of Miss Saigon in 2017, a role she reprised in Copenhagen in 2023.
2.2.3. Activities in Korea
Na-Young Jeon has also made significant contributions to the Korean musical theatre scene. She reprised her role as Fantine in the revival of Les Misérables at the Blue Square Theatre in Seoul, performing from 2015 to 2016. In 2016, she played Esmeralda in the Korea Revival Tour of Notre Dame de Paris. From 2019 to 2022, she starred as Aida in the musical Aida at the Blue Square Interpark Hall in Seoul. She also took on the role of Maureen Johnson in Rent at the D-cube Arts Center in Seoul from 2020 to 2023. Most recently, in 2024, she performed as Luisa in the Korea Revival Tour of Zorro.
3. Filmography and Recordings
Na-Young Jeon has appeared in various film, television, and music recording productions throughout her career.
| Year | Title | Role / Contribution | Type | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2008 | High School Musical on Stage! | Kelsi Nielsen | Recording | |
| 2008 | Akiko | Akiko | Short film | |
| 2010 | Hitomi | Hitomi | Short film | |
| 2010 | Van Hier Tot Tokio | Bo | Television series | |
| 2013 | Connie & Clyde | Pong | Television series | 5 episodes |
| 2016 | The Calling | Girl | Short film | |
| 2016 | Miss Saigon 25th Anniversary | Gigi | Recording | |
| 2018 | The King and I | Tuptim | Recording | |
| 2020 | Oh My Part, You | Herself | Television program | |
| 2020 | Lotto Singer | Herself | Television program | Reached Top 18 |
| 2020 | Lotto Singer Episode 8 | Herself | Album | |
| 2020 | Lotto Singer Episode 9 | Herself | Album |
4. Stage Performances
Jeon's extensive stage career includes numerous roles in musical theatre productions across the Netherlands, the United Kingdom, and South Korea.
| Year | Title | Role | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2009 | High School Musical on Stage! | Kelsi Nielsen | Tilburg |
| 2011 | Miss Saigon | Kim | Dutch Revival |
| 2012 | Kiss Me, Kate | Bianca | Theatre M-Lab, Amsterdam |
| 2013-2014 | Les Misérables | Fantine | Queen's Theatre, London |
| 2015-2016 | Les Misérables | Fantine | Blue Square Theatre, Seoul |
| 2016 | Notre Dame de Paris | Esmeralda | Korea Revival Tour |
| 2017 | The Great Wall Musical: One Woman's Journey | Lady Meng Jiang Nü | Drama Centre, Singapore |
| 2017 | Miss Saigon | Gigi | UK Tour |
| 2018 | The King and I | Tuptim | London Palladium Revival, London |
| 2019-2022 | Aida | Aida | Blue Square Interpark Hall, Seoul |
| 2020-2023 | Rent | Maureen Johnson | D-cube Arts Center, Seoul |
| 2023 | Miss Saigon | Gigi | Copenhagen |
| 2024 | Zorro | Luisa | Korea Revival Tour |
5. Awards and Nominations
Throughout her career, Na-Young Jeon has received recognition for her performances. She was nominated for a John Kraaijkamp Musical Award in the "Upcoming Talent" category for her role as Kelsi Nielsen in High School Musical on Stage!. She also received a nomination for a Broadwayworld UK / West End Award in the category of Best Performance in a Long-running West End Show for her portrayal of Fantine in Les Misérables in London.