'Dead Poets Society' Oh Man-seok: "Nam Kyung-eup was my acting teacher in my third year of high school... Honored to reunite after 30 years"

*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 (playing John Keating), Oh Man-seok, and Yeon Jeong-hoon attended.

What does "education" mean when actors perform and reflect on it? Nam Kyung-eup stated, "My character, Mr. Nolan, was a man who sought to create the best school."

Park Ji-il, who plays the same role, explained, "'Dead Poets Society' is a work that offers insight into human society and humanity. Nolan imposes his values on both his students and his son. In this process, he displays violent and oppressive behavior, ultimately driving his child to the tragedy of death." He added, "This play makes us reflect on how much we consider and respect those around us."

Oh Man-seok revealed, "Over 30 years ago, when I told my parents I wanted to join the theater and film department, they strongly opposed it. So I secretly saved up from part-time jobs to take acting classes at a private academy and eventually entered Hanlim Multi Art School. The teacher who instructed me then was Senior Nam Kyung-eup." He continued, "At that time, Senior Nam gave me many thoughtful questions. Later, I had the honor of sharing the stage with him again. I believe asking good questions is what true education should be about."

Recalling those days, Nam Kyung-eup smiled and said, "There was a third-year high school student who acted exceptionally well. When Oh Man-seok removed his makeup and his skin turned dark, I told him, 'You look like a Bushman.' He replied, 'Teacher, you look like a monkey.' This young man expressed his thoughts openly without hiding them. I thought he would become a great actor, and now that we've met again, I feel deeply moved and grateful."

The premiere of the play 'Dead Poets Society' is Korea's first officially licensed production based on Tom Schulman's award-winning screenplay, which won the Academy Award for Best Original Screenplay after its 1989 film release. Set in 1959 at Welton Academy, a prestigious boarding school in New England, USA, the story follows new English teacher John Keating and the journey of young 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' acting, highlighting the tragedy of youth who are not respected as independent individuals due to authoritarian educational practices and parental ambitions. The work resonated deeply with audiences through iconic lines such as Keating's message to students: "Carpe diem" (Seize the day), and the final scene where students stand on their desks defying the headmaster's oppression, shouting, "O Captain! My Captain!"

In the play, the powerful performances of veteran actors blend seamlessly with the energy of newcomers. Cha In-pyo, Oh Man-seok, and Yeon Jeong-hoon portray John Keating, guiding the narrative with emotionally rich acting that conveys independent thinking to students. Alongside them, young actors Kim Rak-hyun, Lee Jae-hwan, Chanhee (SF9) as Neil Perry, and Kim Tae-gyun, Moon Sung-hyun as Todd Anderson, depict the close mentor-student bond on live stage while resisting oppressive realities.

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

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*This content was translated by AI.