Screen stars turn to stage amid film industry downturn

Actor Lee Young-ae participates in a rehearsal for the upcoming play "Hedda Gabler," staged at LG Arts Center in western Seoul, from May 7 to June 8. Courtesy of LG Arts Center

This spring, Korea’s theater scene is ablaze with star-studded productions as some of the country’s most celebrated actors step back onto the stage in long-awaited returns and high-profile debuts.

At the center of the buzz is "Hedda Gabler," Henrik Ibsen’s classic play, which will be staged simultaneously in May by two different companies, featuring two iconic Korean actors.

Lee Young-ae, globally renowned for her role in the 2003 drama "Jewel in the Palace," will make a comeback to the stage after 32 years, starring in a production by LG Arts Center from May 7 to June 8.

At the same time, veteran actor Lee Hye-young reprises her performance as Hedda Gabler after a 13-year hiatus in a separate production by the National Theater Company of Korea (NTCK) from May 8 to June 1.

"Hedda Gabler" is a play widely regarded as a profound exploration of a woman's psyche as she yearns for freedom amid social constraints and oppression.

The distinct interpretations and styles of the two contrasting renditions of the Ibsen classic stirred excitement among Korean audiences.

"I had many doubts about returning to the theater, but I felt it was now or never. Although I’ve worked on excellent dramas and films, I’ve always felt a thirst as an actor. Now in my 50s, I can pour my diverse emotions into a character like Hedda," Lee Young-ae was quoted saying during the rehearsal.

Drector Kim Jung-han, right, sits with cast of the play "Rendezvous" during a press conference at the Seoul Arts Center in Seocho District, Seoul. The play will run from April 5 to May 11. Yonhap

More acclaimed actors are set to take center stage in various productions throughout spring.

Among them is Kim Sun-young, known for her scene-stealing supporting roles. She graces the stage in the NTCK's "Mother of Him," which premiered on Wednesday. This marks her return to theater after a seven-year hiatus spent mostly in film and television.

The play, penned by British playwright Evan Placey, explores a mother's unwavering love as she confronts her son’s heinous crimes.

Reflecting on her return to the stage, Kim shared how the immediacy of the stage differs from her experience in film and television.

“I felt like I might run out of steam at this rate. Filming is fleeting — once it’s done well, it’s over. But theater requires repeated efforts to deliver the ‘best,’ which demands more thorough character study," she said during a rehearsal for the play.

"Mother of Him" runs through April 19 at Daloreum Theater of the National Theater of Korea.

Actors Park Sung-woong and Lee Soo-kyung join the cast of "Rendezvous," opening on Saturday. Park, who made his theatrical comeback last year with the same play after 24 years, will reprise his role, while Lee Soo-kyung challenges the stage for the first time. SHINee's Minho, who received acclaim for his stage debut in "Waiting for Waiting for Godot" last year, also joins the cast.

The play depicts a meeting between a scientist and a dancer who finds freedom through dance, intricately weaving human connections with cosmic metaphors.

Actor Uhm Ki-joon follows with "The Crucible," an Arthur Miller play based on the Salem witch trials, staged from April 9-27 at CJ Towol Theater of Seoul Arts Center. The play examines mass hysteria and moral dilemmas during social crises.

Actor Kim Sun-young, right, rehearses a scene from the play "Mother of Him," produced by the National Theater Company of Korea, at Hongik Daehangno Artcenter in Jongno District, Seoul, March 19. Yonhap

Young actors Son Ho-jun and Yoo Seung-ho will star together in "Killing Caesar," a modern reinterpretation of Shakespeare’s "Julius Caesar," at Sogang University Mary Hall from May 10 to July 20. Son will play the role of Caesar, while Yoo takes on the role of Brutus.

The play "The Effect" will bring a plethora of screen actors to the stage, telling the story of four participants in a clinical trial for antidepressants.

Kim Young-min, who played Horatio in the play "Hamlet" earlier this year, returns to the stage, while Lee Sang-hee, who recently stole the limelight in "Love Scout," makes her theatrical debut with this production. Lee Yoon-ji comes back to the stage three years after participating in the play "The Understudy."

The production introduces gender-bending casting, where actors perform characters of a different gender or adapt the gender of their roles to match their own. As a result, Kim Young-min, Lee Sang-hee and Lee Yoon-ji all alternate the role of Dr. James, bringing diverse interpretations and perspectives to the character.

Poster for the play "The Effect" / Courtesy of redNblue

Although the theater market still remains smaller than the film industry overall, it is steadily gaining ground — a trend fueled in part by shifting dynamics in the entertainment landscape.

One key factor of screen actors eyeing the stage is the stagnation in the film market caused by the rise of streaming platforms. In contrast, the live performance industry, including musicals, plays and concerts, has seen a post-pandemic resurgence.

In 2024, ticket sales for live performances exceeded 1.45 trillion won, surpassing the film market of 1.26 trillion won. While music concerts lead the sales, theater has emerged as a notable growth sector. The number of productions and performances increased, and ticket sales for plays reached 74.4 billion won in 2024, a 19.8 percent rise compared to 62.1 billion won in 2023.

Musical theater critic Choi Seung-youn said, "Shrinking film markets have reduced opportunities for actors, drawing more screen stars to the stage. For theater companies, casting top actors offers a chance to boost ticket sales through their star power. This win-win situation for both actors and producers is further driving this trend."