Actors Hwang Jung-min, Kim Byung-chul and extra return to the stage

 
Large-screen stars are flooding again to the stage, from Hwang Jung-min in “Mrs. Doubtfire” to Kim Byung-chul in “Ready for ‘Ready for Godot,’” blurring the traces between Korea’s movie, tv and theater worlds.
 
“Failure makes you a traitor. Success makes you a revolutionary!”
 
 
This line from the 2023 movie “12.12: The Day” — delivered by the character Chun Doo-gwang, performed by Hwang — had audiences holding their breath in anticipation in theaters, and Hwang’s iconic efficiency helped the movie draw in additional than 13 million viewers. However when Hwang ad-libbed the road on stage, he introduced laughter as a substitute of suspense.
 
Hwang, recognized for box-office hits like “Ode to My Father” (2014) and “Veteran” (2015), is likely one of the extra outstanding names returning to the stage. He presently stars within the musical “Mrs. Doubtfire,” which opened on Sept. 27 at Charlotte Theater in Songpa District, southern Seoul.
 
Whereas Hwang has been on stage just lately in performs like “Richard III” in 2022 and “Macbeth” final 12 months, “Mrs. Doubtfire” marks his first musical in a decade since “The Orchestra Pit” (2015-16).
 
Based mostly on the 1993 Hollywood movie, “Mrs. Doubtfire” follows Daniel Hillard, a divorced father who disguises himself as an aged nanny, the titular Mrs. Doubtfire, to be near his youngsters. Hwang performs each Daniel and Mrs. Doubtfire, switching between characters with comical aptitude. Not solely should Hwang act, however he should additionally sing, dance, rap and even bear 20 fast costume adjustments onstage.
 

Actor Hwang Jung-min performs a twin function within the musical ″Mrs. Doubtfire″ throughout a press name efficiency on the Charlotte Theater in Songpa District, southern Seoul on Sept. 21. [YONHAP]

 
Viewers members giggle the loudest when the musical weaves in references to Hwang’s most well-known movie traces, corresponding to “Come on in!” from “New World” (2013) and “I could also be broke, however I’ve nonetheless acquired satisfaction” from “Veteran.”
 
“Hwang delivers a efficiency on stage worthy of his popularity,” mentioned musical critic Choi Seung-yeon.
 
The function of Daniel can be performed by veteran actors Jung Sung-hwa, who starred within the first Korean run of the musical, and Jung Sang-hoon, who is thought for his comedic work in “SNL Korea” (2011-). “Mrs. Doubtfire” ranked No. 1 in musical ticket gross sales for October, in line with the Korea Performing Arts Field Workplace Info System (Kopis). The present runs till Dec. 7.
 
Theater actor Kim Byung-chul, recognized for his tv roles in “Sky Fortress” (2018-19) and “Physician Cha” (2023), additionally made his long-awaited return to the stage with “Ready for ‘Ready for Godot,’” which opened on Sept. 16 at Yes24 Stage in Daehangno, central Seoul. This marks Kim’s first stage look in 9 years since “Come See Me” (translated) in 2016.
 

Actors Kim Byung-chul, proper, and Lee Sang-yoon, left, carry out in the course of the play “Ready for ‘Ready for Godot'” [PARK COMPANY]

 
Impressed by Samuel Beckett’s absurdist tragicomedy “Ready for Godot” (1952), “Ready for ‘Ready for Godot’” facilities on two understudies, Esther and Bell, who wait backstage within the dressing room of a Godot manufacturing, hoping for an opportunity to carry out. Kim shares the function of Esther with veteran actor Park Geun-hyung.
 
“Kim’s ardour and power actually got here by means of, particularly in scenes involving battle with the youthful actors,” wrote one viewers member in a assessment.
 
Regardless of being staged in a small, 255-seat theater, the play ranked fourth in September and third in October for whole ticket gross sales within the play class, in line with Kopis. It runs by means of Nov. 16.
 
Different stars are making ready to return to the stage. Jeon Hye-jin will seem in “Laius,” the second installment of the five-part “Anthropolis” collection by the Nationwide Theater Firm of Korea. “Anthropolis” explores generational battle and ethical dilemmas by means of the lens of historic Greek myths concerning the Theban royal household.
 

A promotional nonetheless from the play ″Laius,″ starring actor Jeon Hye-jin [NATIONAL THEATER COMPANY OF KOREA]

 
“Laius,” named after Oedipus’s father, will characteristic Jeon in 18 roles and is her first stage efficiency in 10 years since “The Korisom Tales” (translated). Jeon has starred in quite a few movies, together with “The Cruel” (2017) and “Hunt” (2022), in addition to tv dramas corresponding to “Misty” (2018) and “Stranger 2″ (2020).
 
“Audiences will see a totally new facet of Jeon, completely different from something she has proven in movie or tv,” mentioned “Laius” producer Kim Soo-jung.
 
The play will run from Dec. 6 to 22 at Myeongdong Theater.
 
Actor Park Jeong-min, just lately praised for his movie “The Ugly,” will seem in “Lifetime of Pi,” opening Dec. 2 at GS Artwork Middle in Gangnam District, southern Seoul. The manufacturing is predicated on the 2001 novel of the identical identify by Yann Martel, which was tailored right into a 2012 movie directed by Ang Lee.
 

Actor Park Jeong-min is seen throughout a desk studying for the play ″Lifetime of Pi.″ [S&CO]

 
The story follows Pi, a boy stranded on a ship within the Pacific Ocean for 227 days with a Bengal tiger named Richard Parker.
 
The manufacturing staff refers back to the present as a “stay on stage” efficiency fairly than a musical or play. This marks Park’s return to the stage after eight years, following “Romeo and Juliet” in 2017.
 
“I by no means thought I’d return to the stage,” Park mentioned in a current interview. “After my final efficiency, I didn’t wish to return as a result of it was terrifying. However then I watched a video of ‘Lifetime of Pi’ on YouTube and actually preferred it. I often don’t tackle tasks only for the problem, however this one felt value it.”
 
The present will run by means of March 2 subsequent 12 months and also will be its Korean premiere.

BY HA NAM-HYUN [[email protected]]