Actor Lee Joong-ok is returning to the theater stage after 6 years.
Lee Joong-ok will showcase his acting skills, honed through various dramas and films, in the original play 'When This Summer Passes,' which will open on July 3 at the Daehakro Yeonwoo Theater.
The play 'When This Summer Passes' is a new work by writer and director Lee I-rim, who gained attention for the play 'Brilliant and Radiant.' It is an emotional drama that lyrically explores universal themes of life and death, loss and recovery. Through the intersecting lives of six different characters, the play unfolds moments of wounds, healing, and warm comfort, delivered quietly yet powerfully by a blend of seasoned actors and emerging talents, conveying a message of solace and recovery that seeps into everyday life.
In the play, Lee Joong-ok takes on the role of 'Hyun-soo,' who is shaken by the weight of reality, facing the audience. This return to the theater stage after about 6 years since 2019 holds more significance than just a simple comeback. It is expected to be a stage where he can reaffirm his original intentions, authenticity, and evolved acting skills. In particular, the character 'Hyun-soo' is a realistic figure that allows the audience to naturally project their own lives onto him, and Lee's unique, relatable acting and refined emotional modulation are expected to shine in this role. There is great interest in how Lee Joong-ok will leave a resonating impact and lingering feelings within the dense energy of the theater, where he breathes closest to the audience.
With the news of his long-awaited return to the theater stage, Lee Joong-ok has been actively showcasing his diverse charms to viewers. In tvN's 'Please Take Care of My Refrigerator,' he played the role of 'Gibeom's Father,' the owner of a charcoal-grilled rib restaurant, bringing laughter with his witty everyday acting and delightful chemistry with his co-stars. In the Genie TV original 'Your Taste,' he transformed into a warm-hearted butcher shop owner, receiving praise for adding warmth to the production.
His natural chemistry with actors like Kim Sang-ho and Kang Ha-neul has further solidified his reputation as a 'Chemistry Master,' and Lee Joong-ok's realistic acting and detailed expressiveness shone in both productions, proving his true worth once again.
As Lee Joong-ok expands his acting spectrum on screen and in home dramas, anticipation is building for why he is returning to the theater stage after 6 years and what new emotional nuances he will present. How the depth of expression he has accumulated in dramas and films will expand within the genre of theater, and what stories he will share with the audience as he faces them again, adds to the curiosity about the stage he will present this coming summer.
Meanwhile, the play 'When This Summer Passes' will be performed at the Daehakro Yeonwoo Theater from July 3 to 27.
[Son Jin-ah, MK Sports Reporter]
