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Korea Herald
14-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Korea Herald
Interview: Lee Young-ae on how antihero 'Hedda' brought her back to stage after 30 years
'We all carry a little bit of Hedda within us,' Lee says In a theatrical coincidence that has stirred anticipation among theatergoers, two major Korean productions of "Hedda Gabler" have been going head to head this spring. Just a day before the National Theater Company of Korea's production at the Myeongdong Theater in central Seoul opened on May 8, the LG Arts Center Seoul's version of Henrik Ibsen's famous psychological drama premiered May 7 with Lee Young-ae in titular role. Directed by Jun In-chul and based on Richard Eyre's contemporary adaptation, the LG Arts Center production transposes Hedda Gabler into the present day. It takes "a lighter, more psychologically accessible approach" to a story of a beautiful upper-class woman disillusioned after an impulsive marriage to an ordinary middle-class man, who returns from her honeymoon only to take her own life within two days. 'I didn't want to play someone just like me -- there's no thrill in that. There's more joy when I step into something different,' Lee said in an interview Tuesday, reflecting on her decision to take on the role of the manipulative, enigmatic antihero. "I read a review where a therapist said many of her clients reminded her of Hedda. That made me think -- even if we seem normal on the outside, maybe we all carry a little bit of Hedda within us. This production is my way of exploring that on stage." Her goal, Lee explained, was not to make Hedda overly tragic or aggressive. 'She's sensitive, but soft, too -- like someone who could live in any house, in any neighborhood,' she said. The show's promotional poster shows the actor smiling sweetly, but Lee said that Hedda's shadows lie just beneath the surface of innocence. Best known for her roles in Park Chan-wook's 'Lady Vengeance' and the globally beloved drama 'Jewel in the Palace,' she last performed in theater in 1993 in a small production at Seoul Arts Center. Lee said her return to the stage after three decades came with the right role at the right time. Lee credited her decision to return to live performance to her mentor, professor Kim Mi-hye, a renowned Ibsen scholar and her doctoral adviser at Hanyang University's Department of Theater and Film. 'Professor Kim had introduced me to many plays over the years and once said, 'If you ever return to theater, Hedda might suit you.'' The idea took root. After watching Jeon Do-yeon in Simon Stone's hit Korean production of "The Cherry Orchard" last year, Lee felt the pull of the stage more strongly than ever. 'I was approached for a different production (at the LG Arts Center). I guess I also had this desire to take the role of Hedda,' Lee said. 'Now that I'm in my 50s, having gone through childbirth and parenting, I feel I've gained the emotional depth that this character demands.' She admitted that 'the desire came with a heavier burden on the shoulders' than she expected -- but added that she has enjoyed every moment of it.
Korea Herald
12-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Korea Herald
Matthew Bourne's all-male ‘Swan Lake' returns to Korea for 30th anniversary
Matthew Bourne's groundbreaking "Swan Lake" — the ballet that catapulted the British choreographer to international fame — is returning to Korea for the first time in six years to mark its 30th anniversary. Reimagined with a menacing and powerful male ensemble of swans in place of the traditional female corps de ballet, the production has garnered both critical acclaim and popular attention worldwide. Since its Korean debut in 2005, the production has been staged four times in the country, drawing over 100,000 theatergoers. LG Arts Center said Sunday that it will host 16 performances of the anniversary production from June 18 to 29. Premiered in 1995, Bourne's Swan Lake transposes the ballet's classical setting to a contemporary royal court of a dysfunctional family. It follows the emotional journey of a young Prince struggling with identity, desire and his complex relationship with the Swan — a symbol of the freedom and love he yearns for. Set to Tchaikovsky's iconic score, the ballet moves between the Prince's dreamlike fantasies and grim realities, traversing shadowy London backstreets, glittering palace ballrooms and a mysterious moonlit lake. The striking image of muscular, bare-chested male swans in shredded, feathered trousers — performing choreography that is both powerful and sensual — remains one of the production's most unforgettable scenes. The production has since become the most successful dance theater work of all time, holding the record as the longest-running full-length dance classic in both the West End and on Broadway, according to the LG Arts Center. The 30th-anniversary staging comes under the banner of 'Next Generation,' highlighting the emergence of the company's rising stars. "As our swans take flight once more in this major revival, I'm full of anticipation for the challenges it will bring for our next generation of dancers and the wonder that it will bring to audiences who will experience it for the very first time," Bourne said in a press release. Taking on the lead role of the Swan are Jackson Fisch and Rory Macleod — both of whom appeared in Bourne's "Romeo and Juliet" at LG Arts Center Seoul last year — as well as Harrison Dowzell, a star performer with New Adventures since 2019. Returning to the stage as the Prince are James Lovell, Stephen Murray and Leonardo McCorkindale, all of whom starred in the 2019 "Swan Lake" in Korea.
Korea Herald
01-04-2025
- Entertainment
- Korea Herald
SHINee's Minho returns as scientist with OCD in rom-com play ‘Rendezvous'
After making his theatrical debut in "Waiting for Waiting for Godot" last year, Choi Min-ho is back on stage again this time in the romantic comedy "Rendezvous." The SHINee member and actor takes on the role of Tae-seop, a rocket scientist with obsessive-compulsive disorder stemming from childhood trauma. His meticulously structured life is disrupted when he forms an unexpected bond with Ji-hee (played by Kim Ha-ri), the daughter of his go-to Chinese restaurant's owner. As their interactions deepen, Tae-seop gradually confronts his long-standing fears of change and isolation. 'The moment I read the script, I was completely captivated,' Choi said during a press conference on Tuesday. 'I remember ordering food while reading, and when it arrived, I was still so immersed in the script that I barely noticed." Written and directed by South Korean director Kim Jung-han, who goes by the name Yossef K. Junghan, the two-person play's minimalist yet dynamic staging features a long runway reminiscent of a fashion show catwalk, complete with two moving treadmills. With no off-stage exits, Choi and Kim remain in full view for the entire 100-minute run time, creating an intimate theatrical experience. 'The production is both experimental and demanding, which makes it all the more exciting,' Choi said. 'I'd be lying if I said I wasn't nervous ahead of opening night, but I can't wait for audiences to see it and hear their reactions.' The play premiered at LG Arts Center in 2024. The latest run stars three different actor pairings: Choi and Kim; Park Sung-woong and Lee Soo-kyung; and Park Geon-hyung and Beom Do-ha. The latest staging features three different pairs of actors portraying the central relationship: Choi Minho and Kim Ha-ri; Park Sung-woong and Lee Soo-kyung; and Park Gun-hyung and Beom Do-ha. 'The same script can take on entirely different meanings depending on how an actor interprets and delivers the lines,' said Kim, a director and collaborator who has worked with the renowned Living Theatre in New York since 2009. 'This play isn't just a love story. It explores the universal themes of family, the search for belonging and the ways we fill the voids in our lives. The core emotions and motivations remain relatable across all age groups.'
Korea Herald
01-04-2025
- Entertainment
- Korea Herald
SHINee's Minho returns as OCD-stricken scientist in rom-com play ‘Rendezvous'
After making his theatrical debut in "Waiting for Waiting for Godot" last year, Choi Min-ho is back on stage again this time in the romantic comedy "Rendezvous." The SHINee member and actor takes on the role of Tae-seop, a rocket scientist with obsessive-compulsive disorder stemming from childhood trauma. His meticulously structured life is disrupted when he forms an unexpected bond with Ji-hee (played by Kim Ha-ri), the daughter of his go-to Chinese restaurant's owner. As their interactions deepen, Tae-seop gradually confronts his long-standing fears of change and isolation. 'The moment I read the script, I was completely captivated,' Choi said during a press conference on Tuesday. 'I remember ordering food while reading, and when it arrived, I was still so immersed in the script that I barely noticed." Written and directed by South Korean director Kim Jung-han, who goes by the name Yossef K. Junghan, the two-person play's minimalist yet dynamic staging features a long runway reminiscent of a fashion show catwalk, complete with two moving treadmills. With no off-stage exits, Choi and Kim remain in full view for the entire 100-minute run time, creating an intimate theatrical experience. 'The production is both experimental and demanding, which makes it all the more exciting,' Choi said. 'I'd be lying if I said I wasn't nervous ahead of opening night, but I can't wait for audiences to see it and hear their reactions.' The play premiered at LG Arts Center in 2024. The latest run stars three different actor pairings: Choi and Kim; Park Sung-woong and Lee Soo-kyung; and Park Geon-hyung and Beom Do-ha. The latest staging features three different pairs of actors portraying the central relationship: Choi Minho and Kim Ha-ri; Park Sung-woong and Lee Soo-kyung; and Park Gun-hyung and Beom Do-ha. 'The same script can take on entirely different meanings depending on how an actor interprets and delivers the lines,' said Kim, a director and collaborator who has worked with the renowned Living Theatre in New York since 2009. 'This play isn't just a love story. It explores the universal themes of family, the search for belonging and the ways we fill the voids in our lives. The core emotions and motivations remain relatable across all age groups.'
Korea Herald
14-03-2025
- Entertainment
- Korea Herald
'Study Group' star Han Ji-eun leaves comfort zone to play enigmatic con artist in 'Anna X'
From film and television to the stage, Han Ji-eun is making her presence unmistakable this year. Over the past few months, the actress has tackled roles across a variety of mediums. Starting with the romantic comedy 'Can We Get Married?' in October 2024, Han has since appeared in the action film 'Hitman 2,' portrayed the devoted chaebol heiress Choi Go-eun in the tvN drama series 'When the Stars Gossip' and the passionate teacher Lee Han-kyung in 'Study Group.' On top of that, the 37-year-old actor is pushing her boundaries further by stepping onto the stage as enigmatic con artist Anna in 'Anna X,' currently running at the LG Arts Center in Seoul until Sunday. The play, based on the true story of Anna Sorokin — the socialite imposter who swindled New York's elite — challenges Han with a role that teeters between deception and sincerity. 'I always want to be an actor that sparks curiosity. I don't want to be confined to a mold or prejudice,' Han said in a recent interview with The Korea Herald. 'There are times when people don't even recognize me from one project to another. It's a little bittersweet, but ultimately, I take it as a compliment. It means they see me as the character.' Though she briefly performed on stage as a student in 2013, 'Anna X' is Han's first major foray into theater. 'As an actor, you develop habits — ways of analyzing characters, approaches to performance. But I started questioning whether I was becoming too comfortable, whether I was limiting myself without realizing it,' Han said when explaining why she took the stage to break out of her comfort zone. 'I've been working nonstop, jumping from project to project, often with very little time to prepare before filming begins. At some point, I found myself wondering: Have I truly poured everything into each role? Or am I just following a pattern?' This internal restlessness led her to seek a new challenge. 'Stepping into unfamiliar territory forces you to see things in a new light. I wanted to experience something that would shake me up,' she said. Beyond the format, Han was drawn to Anna's complexity. 'Anna isn't a typical con artist. She operates in a psychological gray area. Fully understanding her required intense study and reinterpretation,' Han said. 'That process was incredibly rewarding. I needed a role that pushed my limits." Approaching her 20th year in acting, Han remains hungry for more. 'There's still so much I want to explore. People have certain expectations of an actor's career, but I don't see why those limitations matter. I want to break those preconceptions.'
