By Chung Ah-young
Staff Reporter

Real-life brothers Nam Kyung-eup and Kyung-joo are returning to the stage with ''Rain Man,'' the Korean theatrical version of the Oscar-winning film of the same name.

Kyung-eup will play autistic brother Raymond ― played by Dustin Hoffman in the 1988 film ― while younger brother Kyung-joo will take the role of Charlie ― played by Tom Cruise.

The play will be more ''personal'' for the actors as it is the first time for them to act together on stage since they performed in the musical ''Singing in the Rain'' in 1996.

''I am very excited to perform again with my brother,'' Kyung-joo said in a recent press conference.

He said that when he first read the script, he found the story resembles their family story. ''I felt as if Charlie was modeled after me. It's really appealing and close to me in many ways,'' he said.

His elder brother Kyung-eup is renowned as a first-generation musical star, along with Kyung-joo, when the genre was barely recognized in Korea. Kyung-joo has gained prominence in numerous commercially successful musicals, while Kyung-eup has focused more on authentic theatrical dramas.

Kyung-eup said that he has to live as Raymond not only on stage but also in real life to realistically portray the character.

''I realized through the last 33 years of my acting career that the audience can only get the most pleasure from the show if the actors practice continuously. There is no short cut in acting. Only after I endure all the painful practice and training, can I create a new life on stage,'' Kyung-eup said.

One day, Charlie, a stock trader, learns that his father whom he hated has died and left more than $3 million to a man in a rehabilitation facility. He is no other than Charlie's brother Raymond who suffers from autism. Obsessed with his father's inheritance, Charlie takes Raymond on a journey that gives the brothers an opportunity to get to know each other and understand their father through dialogue.

The play's main story is based on the film but dramatic elements and humorous touches will be added to the story in the vivid portrayal of the characters. The audience can also feel intense intimacy with the actors, according to Showfac, the production company.

Veteran actor Park Sang-won and Won Ki-joon will also take the roles of Raymond and Charlie respectively.

The play premiered in Japan in 2006 and gave a revival performance in 2007, scoring a big success.

The West End version of the play was put on stage in 2008 with the cast of Hollywood actor Josh Hartnett and British actor Adam Godley.

The Korean version hit the stage last year, receiving rave reviews from both the audience and critics.

The play will be on stage from Feb. 19 to March 28 at Jayu Theater in Seoul Arts Center. Tickets cost 33,000 won to 88,000 won. For more information, call (02) 548-1141.

chungay@koreatimes.co.kr