Director: "Does 'Dead Poets Society' not fit today's education system? We are talking about a 'mentor in life'"

*This content was translated by AI.

The film 'Dead Poets Society' has been reborn on the Korean stage as a play.

On the 21st afternoon, a press conference for the play 'Dead Poets Society' was held at NOL Theater Daehak-ro Woori Card Hall, Dongsung-gil, Jongno-gu, Seoul. Director Cho Kwang-hwa, music director Lee Dong-jun, and actors Cha In-pyo, Oh Man-seok, and Yeon Jeong-hoon, who portray John Keating, attended the event.

Director Cho Kwang-hwa addressed concerns that 'Dead Poets Society' is out of touch with the realities of South Korea's education system, stating, "Didn't we recently have a drama called 'True Education'? While 'True Education' touched on the education system itself, our play does not impose such restrictions. We aimed to tell universal stories that remain relevant even after leaving school — just as one encounters superiors at work or seniors in the military. I wanted to speak about a 'mentor in life.'"

Some may argue that the spirit of 'Carpe Diem' is no longer appropriate in certain respects. Director Cho responded, "While 'Carpe Diem' might feel uncomfortable to some, we too seem trapped within rigidly defined education systems. For me, sharing this moment with the audience is itself an embodiment of 'Carpe Diem.' It holds immense value for me."

The premiere of the play 'Dead Poets Society' marks the first official licensed production in Korea based on Tom Schulman's screenplay, which won the Academy Award for Best Original Screenplay after its 1989 film release. Set in 1959 at Welton Academy, an elite boarding school in New England, USA, the story follows newly appointed English teacher John Keating and a group of boys searching for their identities amid an exam-focused reality.

The original film achieved global acclaim under director Peter Weir's profound direction and Robin Williams' powerful acting, highlighting the tragedy of youth who fail to be respected as independent individuals beneath authoritarian educational practices and parental ambitions. The work is renowned for two iconic lines: Keating's message to his students, "Carpe Diem" (Seize the day), and the climactic moment when students defy the headmaster's oppression by standing on their desks and shouting, "O Captain! My Captain!"

In the play, the synergy between veteran actors' depth and newcomers' energy shines through. Cha In-pyo, Oh Man-seok, and Yeon Jeong-hoon portray John Keating, delivering emotionally rich performances that anchor the narrative. Alongside them, young actors Kim Rak-hyun, Lee Jae-hwan, Chan-hee (SF9), Kim Tae-gyun, and Moon Sung-hyun bring to life Neil Perry and Todd Anderson respectively, portraying a tight-knit master-disciple bond on stage amidst resistance against an oppressive reality.

The play 'Dead Poets Society' will run from the 18th through September 13 at NOL Theater Daehak-ro Woori Card Hall.

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*This content was translated by AI.