Actress Shim Eun-kyung is receiving rave reviews after successfully completing her first domestic play since her debut!
Shim Eun-kyung took the stage as Seo Eun-hee (Sonya), the niece of Park Yi-bo (Vanya), in the National Theater Company’s new play ‘Banya Ajae’ (written by Anton Chekhov, translated by Jang Han, adapted and directed by Cho Kwang-hwa), which opened on the 22nd at the National Theater’s Haeoreum Theater.
The production created a huge buzz even before opening, recording a total sell-out for all shows just based on the news of Shim Eun-kyung’s casting. Since the curtain rose, audiences have responded enthusiastically, with praise pouring in for her stage performance.
‘Banya Ajae’ is a fresh adaptation of Anton Chekhov’s representative play ‘Uncle Vanya,’ tailored to Korean emotions and historical background. Set in Gyeongseong during the late 1930s, the story depicts family loss, helplessness, and the irony of life centered around a modern rice mill.
Shim Eun-kyung delicately portrayed Seo Eun-hee, a character who silently endures her reality while dealing with unrequited love and complexes about her appearance. She led the play by capturing the character’s complex emotions in every line and gaze.
The monologue scene toward the end of the play left a deep impression on the audience: “We can look back from the other world. How hard we struggled, how much it hurt, and how much we cried! Only then will we know that our present was truly beautiful! Then, with a bright smile, let’s say: even though it hurt that much, we didn’t run away. We lived.”
Before the opening, Shim Eun-kyung shared her excitement, saying, “I am thrilled to be able to breathe and feel the audience’s presence in the space of a stage, but I also feel a heavy sense of responsibility. I want to deliver a small resonance that remains deep in the heart.”
After the first performance, she expressed her affection for the character: “Eun-hee’s life is tedious and so overwhelming it takes your breath away. She might have wanted to run away, but in the end, she would have realized that surviving is the most valuable thing.”
She added, “I am acting with the mindset of taking one small step forward without giving up on life, even though it feels like standing on the edge of a cliff. It was an honor to stand on stage with such legendary seniors, and I learned so much as an actress.” The production is further strengthened by the presence of veteran stage actors including Cho Sung-ha, Son Sook, Nam Myung-ryul, Ki Joo-bong, and Jung Kyung-soon.
Previously, in the tvN drama ‘How to Become a Building Owner in Korea’ which ended in April, Shim Eun-kyung challenged herself with her first villain role. While her acting was praised, the drama received mixed reactions regarding its plot and direction, recording a lowest viewership rating of 2.0%. Now, Shim Eun-kyung is once again proving her strength as an actress through the stage.
‘Banya Ajae’ will run at the National Theater’s Haeoreum Theater until the 31st.
