The play ‘Beginning’ is back with a new cast, promising a “New Beginning” filled with different charms from its premiere!
A press conference for ‘Beginning’ was held on the 15th at LG Arts Center Seoul, attended by director Pyo Sang-ah and actors Lee Jong-hyuk, Yoo Sun, Lee Chun-hee, and Lee Yoon-ji.
‘Beginning’ is a two-person play centered on a conversation between Danny and Laura after a house party. It is a realistic comedy that explores loneliness, relationships, love, fear, and the courage to start over.
Elevating the Original’s Fun
Director Pyo Sang-ah introduced the work, saying, “It deals with the start of love and relationships between men and women living in the city. In a way, it’s everyone’s story.” She added, “It’s a piece about city life and relationships where people ‘pretend’ and struggle to express their true feelings before starting something new.”
While the premiere focused more on Korean sentiments, this rerun promises a “New Beginning” that captures the wit of London-style humor. Director Pyo shared her creative process, stating, “A city is a place where people from unknown origins gather. I believe it’s an environment where people become cautious of strangers and struggle to open up. I see this as a story of both London and Seoul. I’ve organized the play thinking about how to present this story to the audience.”
Yoo Sun highlighted a new viewing point for this season: “Previously, Danny’s behind-the-scenes story wasn’t revealed. In the original, Danny has a hidden history that explains why he couldn’t easily get close to people. Bringing that in will provide the audience with a new perspective.”
She also mentioned, “While the previous version moved smoothly in one direction, this one has more bumps and direct dialogue. It will be a more honest and bold ‘Beginning’ with much tighter tension.”
Different Charms by Pair: “Fresh Sashimi vs. Aged Sashimi”
Along with returning stars Lee Jong-hyuk and Yoo Sun, Lee Yoon-ji and Lee Chun-hee have joined the new cast. While the characters remain the same, each actor brings a unique charm. New cast members Lee Yoon-ji and Lee Chun-hee shared their thoughts on their characters.
When asked how similar he is to Danny, Lee Chun-hee joked, “On the first reading day, Lee Jong-hyuk sunbaenim told me, ‘You are Danny.’ Danny has a hesitant and pure side. When I read the script for last year’s ‘Beginning,’ I thought, ‘Who is this guy? Why is he such a loser?’ but in this version, Danny feels lovely and charming. I think I’m actually more similar to last year’s Danny.”
Regarding his co-stars playing Laura, he said, “Yoo Sun sunbaenim’s image is the opposite of what I expected. She looks like a ‘cold city girl,’ but she’s actually lovely and cute. I’m not saying Yoon-ji is scary (laughs), but she’s a very urban and modern woman.”
Lee Yoon-ji, who also plays Laura, explained her approach: “Laura is very proactive, so there’s a lot I want to learn from her. Her honesty is her charm. I’m learning how a character can be this honest without being disliked. I’m portraying Laura with the keyword ‘honesty,’ which leads to a lot of lines like, ‘Just do it, why think so much?'”
Lee Jong-hyuk noted, “I’ve seen Yoo Sun more often than my own wife since last year, so our chemistry is great. She might seem strong, but she’s not on the inside, and you can see that through Laura.” He added, “Yoon-ji is a bubbly, energetic, and lively Laura, while Chun-hee is a sweet, calm, and kind Danny, completely different from me.”
Yoo Sun also described the different vibes, noting Lee Jong-hyuk’s Danny is deeper and more powerful than last year, while Lee Chun-hee’s Danny is pure but carries wounds. “The mood changes depending on which Danny you meet,” she said, adding, “You’ll see a lively and bouncy Laura in Yoon-ji, which is different from my version.”
The actors described the difference between the original and new cast as “maturity vs. freshness.” Director Pyo Sang-ah agreed, jokingly comparing the vibe to “fresh sashimi and aged sashimi,” which brought laughter to the event.
Meanwhile, the play ‘Beginning’ will meet audiences at the LG Arts Center Seoul U+ Stage until June 21.
