Lee Jong-hyuk, Yoo Sun, Lee Chun-hee, and Lee Yoon-ji are coming together for ‘Beginning,’ a unique two-person play exploring the complexities of adult romance.
A press conference for the play ‘Beginning’ was held on the afternoon of the 15th at LG Arts Center Seoul in Gangseo-gu, Seoul. Director Pyo Sang-ah and actors Lee Jong-hyuk, Yoo Sun, Lee Chun-hee, and Lee Yoon-ji all attended the event.
‘Beginning’ is a two-person play that captures the conversations between Danny and Laura, two people who are opposites in every single way.
Yoo Sun and Lee Yoon-ji will take on the role of Laura, a successful career woman who lives with deep loneliness, while Lee Jong-hyuk and Lee Chun-hee will play Danny, a man hesitant to start a new relationship after a divorce.
For this revival, Lee Jong-hyuk and Yoo Sun, who led the success of the premiere, return to the stage. Joining them are Lee Chun-hee and Lee Yoon-ji, adding more depth and dimension to ‘Beginning.’
Director Pyo Sang-ah introduced the play, saying, “It is based on a British work. Following the premiere last year, we are bringing it back for a revival this year. It’s a story about the love between a man and a woman living in the city, and it’s a story that belongs to all of us.”
She further explained, “Since the premiere was known as a fun piece with the witty humor of London, England, we tried to bring those elements to life in Korea as well.”
Lee Jong-hyuk and Yoo Sun have returned for the revival after appearing in the original premiere.
Ahead of the first performance at 7:30 PM today, Lee Jong-hyuk expressed his excitement, saying, “I felt a bit sad that the performance period was short during the premiere. I’ve put a lot of thought into this, viewing it as a ‘new beginning.’ I believe the audience will experience the work with a different feel. I’m so looking forward to today’s first show.”
Yoo Sun shared, “I was disappointed that the Seoul run was short last year, but I was grateful for the full houses and enthusiastic reactions during the regional tour. I really wanted to meet the Seoul audience again, so I’m happy to be part of the revival.”
Declaring a ‘New Beginning’ alongside ‘original member’ Lee Jong-hyuk, Yoo Sun confidently added, “Unlike last year, I tried to bring out more of the original’s bold and active expressions. Both those who saw it last year and those seeing it for the first time will find it fresh.”
Lee Yoon-ji, who had hoped to be in the premiere but couldn’t, finally joined the revival. She joked, “I’ve been waiting for this moment,” and added with pride, “I was happy to play the same role as Yoo Sun. I think that’s one of the biggest characteristics of theater that you can’t experience in other media. I’ve been truly happy working on this.”
Lee Chun-hee returns to the theater stage for the first time in six years since ‘Art’ in 2020.
He mentioned that he first encountered the script through Yoo Sun, saying, “I received the script while waiting for a flight to Jeju Island at the airport, and I enjoyed reading it immensely during the one-hour flight.”
He added with a smile, “I felt some pressure because it’s a two-person play, but I took a leap of faith. Lee Jong-hyuk, Yoo Sun, and Lee Yoon-ji are all wonderful, and the staff are so fun, so I’m having a great time returning to the theater.”
Regarding the changes from the premiere, Director Pyo Sang-ah explained, “While last year was about introducing ‘Beginning’ to Korea for the first time, this time we focused the adaptation more on the love of urban men and women.” She raised expectations for the various chemistry and fun that the new pairings of Lee Chun-hee and Lee Yoon-ji, alongside Lee Jong-hyuk and Yoo Sun, will bring.
Actors Yoo Sun and Lee Chun-hee also asked for interest, saying, “The pairings created by the four of us all have different colors. It will be fun to see the different energies and chemistry.”
‘Beginning’ will be performed starting the 15th at the LG Arts Center Seoul U+ Stage.
