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| A scene from the play, "The Return" / Courtesy of Seoul Arts Center |
By Kwak Yeon-soo
Actor Kim Soo-ro has returned as the producer of a play titled "The Return," which whirls the audience into stories of reuniting families that were once separated for different reasons.
In a career that spans stage, television and film, the actor has been at the forefront of bringing theater closer to the public.
"While musicals continue to break records, traditional plays are struggling. We've been performing this play on Daehangno's (Korea's mecca of performing arts and culture) small stages for six to seven years. I'm overwhelmed that we're finally performing in a large theater equipped with 1,000 seats," Kim said during the press conference for the play, Thursday.
"The Return" revolves around a tavern that welcomes people who miss their loved ones, including a mother who misses her son who is off to the army, a husband who awaits the return of his runaway wife and a foul-mouthed elderly woman who has lost contact with her son.
The play, which premiered in 2015, won multiple awards at the 36th Seoul Theater Festival. The film version of "The Return" won a Golden Zenith Award for The Best First Feature Film at the Montreal World Film Festival.
This year's show includes a star-studded lineup including actors Park Jung-chul, Kang Sung-jin, Choi Young-jun, Lee Woo-jin, Hong Eun-hee, Lee Ah-hyun and Kim.
"It's really a story about love, longing and patience. The backdrop of this play is about yearning, or a longing for reunion with loved ones. So I think that will resonate with a lot of people," Kang said.
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| A scene from the play, "The Return" / Courtesy of Seoul Arts Center |
Choi, who rose to stardom through tvN's "Our Blues," said he is certainly enjoying his peak in fame at this moment in his acting career.
"I'm having a lot of fun these days, appearing on television and on stage. Still I am happier doing theatrical plays. I love discussing and playing out scenes with my co-stars," Choi said.
Park echoed the sentiment, saying, "The stage motivates me as an actor. There were times when I wanted to give up on acting. But whenever I'm on the stage, it makes me fall in love with this job. It reminds me of forgotten moments and makes me emotional."
Since "Melodrama," in 2014, it's been eight years for Hong to return to the stage and added that she loves rehearsals. "I've always had a passion for theater. Just like this play fulfills some emptiness in me, I hope it does the same for theatergoers."
Kim expressed his desire to take the play global. "I have a new dream of wanting to promote K-theater to the world. I think the theme of love and longing can resonate with audiences worldwide. Our goal is to perform abroad sometime next year or the year after that," he said.
"The Return" will run at CJ Towol Theater of Seoul Arts Center until June 5.
