Last year, a number of successful male actors returned to the stage after spending years on both the small and big screens. The list of actors who returned to the theater includes Choi Min-sik, a veteran actor who garnered international acclaim through the smash hit movie "Old Boy" (2003), Jo Jae-hyeon who played egocentric Abe (father) in "Kyung-sook, Kyung-sook's Father" and Jo Min-ki who performed in the Korean rendition of the Russian play "The Seagull".
The celebrities on the stage instantly grabbed the media's attention and, of course, drew larger audiences. This year, the stars' return to theaters is likely to continue with seasoned actresses set to test their talents on the stage.
Ha Hee-ra, a veteran actress also known as the wife of top-rated actor Choi Soo-jong, comes back to live theater with a Korean rendition of the Broadway musical "The Goodbye Girl". The show hits the stage at the Baekam Arts Hall in Samseong-dong, southern Seoul, on March 28 through June 15.
"The Goodbye Girl" is a musical based on Neil Simon's 1977 film of the same title that tells the story of Paula, a single mother who always finds loser boyfriends. Ha is to take the role of Paula, a former dancer in her mid-30s living with her 12-year-old daughter Lucy. Comedian-turned-musical actor, Chung Sung-hwa, will play Elliot, a struggling actor who happens to share the two-bedroom apartment with Paula.
Multi-talented entertainer Choi Hwa-jeong returns to the Daehangno stage after a 14-year hiatus with a Korean rendition of the West End's play "Educating Rita".
In the drama, the actress also known as a radio DJ and cable TV show host will take the title role of Susan White, a 20-something married woman working as a hairdresser. The drama will hit the stage at Theater Wonder Face in Daehangno on March 14 for a two-month run.
"Educating Rita" was the last drama she performed, at the Daehangno theater 14 years ago, leaving her enthusiastic fans behind.
"I feel pressure because I have to play a 26-year-old Rita", said the 46-year-old actress.
"But I guess I have to forget about my appearance and concentrate on acting. I have a deeper understanding on the character now", said Choi who will play the role opposite Yoon Joo-sang, the same co-star she performed with previously in the two-actor show.
In 1993, she received the DongA Drama best actress award for her performance.
"Educating Rita" is an award-winning stage comedy by British playwright Willy Russell. Set entirely in the office of a university lecturer, the drama tells the story of a woman eager to learn what the world of knowledge and education has to offer, rather than follow her husband's desire to have a baby.
Choo Sang-mi, a versatile actress who tied the knot last year with Lee Suk-joon, one of the rising musical stars in Korea, chose the Korean adaptation of "Blackbird" for her first stage performance in the upcoming spring season. "Blackbird" is a powerful production written by British writer David Harrower, which hit the West End stage three years ago.
Based on a true story, the drama tells the tale of Una and Ray, who meet again 15 years after their relationship ended. Choo will play Una, who had an affair with Ray, a 40-year-old friend of the family, when she was just 12. The drama hits the stage at the Dongsoong Arts Center in Daehangno on March 21 through May 21.
Actress Yang Hee-kyeong, sister of one of Korea's beloved folk singers, Yang Hee-eun, transforms herself into a cabaret singer in the Daehangno drama "Minja's Golden Age". The show hits the stage at Yesul Madang March 6 through April 27.
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