[Exclusive] “No Slumps Here!” Lee Jong-hyuk Opens Up About His Return to the Stage in ‘Beginning’

Actor Lee Jong-hyuk says he doesn’t believe in “slumps.” After a period of being incredibly busy, he views his current phase not as a decline, but as a natural transition into different roles. “I used to be so busy working, and now I feel like I’m moving toward different types of roles. It feels natural rather than a slump,” he explained.

In a recent exclusive interview, Lee Jong-hyuk shared that he will be taking the stage in the play ‘Beginning,’ which opens on the 15th at the LG Arts Center.

‘Beginning’ is set in an apartment in Crouch End, London, during late autumn. It follows the conversation between a man and a woman who are the only ones left after a house party. The story delves deep into the inner worlds of Laura, a successful career woman, and Danny, who has been living a monotonous life since his divorce.

As they get to know each other, their relationship takes an unexpected turn. Rather than a simple start, they face choices that could shake their entire lives. Whether these two lonely and isolated individuals can move toward a new relationship or remain a fleeting moment is left to the audience’s interpretation.

‘Beginning’ is a two-person play led by only two actors. Lee Jong-hyuk emphasized the difficulty, noting, “It’s not easy to perform for an hour and a half without a single exit.” While the previous season was open to middle school students and older, this season’s age limit has been changed to high school students and older.

Lee Jong-hyuk described the production as “a performance where the actors struggle, but the audience has a great time,” calling it “the creation of a true clown.”

For him, the charm of the stage is clear. “Performing is fun,” he said, but added that it also brings “fear and anxiety” due to the unique tension of live performances. He laughed, saying, “I’m working so hard, so it would be bad if the audience didn’t like it.”

Lee Jong-hyuk returns to the role of Danny for this season. As the play moved from its premiere to the second run, the nuances shifted. He hinted, “This time, we’re keeping the script closer to the original, so the flow has changed slightly. Previously, we adjusted things to make the protagonist seem a bit kinder, but this time we’re leaving it as is. This brings out the interpretation that he might be a character who didn’t receive enough love.”

The density of the dialogue has also increased. Lee Jong-hyuk noted, “This play has a lot of small talk, and within that, the character’s hesitation and emotions are explained.” He added, “You naturally follow why he hesitates when Laura approaches and what kind of wounds the two characters carry.”

This season, Lee Chun-hee joins the cast as Danny in a double-casting arrangement. Comparing their interpretations of the character, Lee Jong-hyuk laughed, “Lee Chun-hee is a soft and sweet Danny. He feels like French toast soaked in plenty of milk.” He added that since their styles are so different, it will be interesting for the audience to see.

He is also making fine adjustments to his acting. “Since I’ve already worked with Yoo Sun, we’re focusing on bringing out the detailed acting, even if it means reducing some of the humor,” he said. He emphasized, “Yoo Sun is incredibly passionate and ambitious about her acting. In a two-person play, if the emotional line and breathing aren’t in sync, it’s immediately obvious.”

For Lee Jong-hyuk, ‘Beginning’ is more than just another project. Despite the grueling process, it’s a work that allows him to rediscover the tension, excitement, and acting instincts that can only be felt on stage. He continues to fuel his passion for acting through these natural changes.