'True Education' Instead of Dopamine... Meeting 'Carpe Diem' with a Real Teacher [Comprehensive]

*This content was translated by AI.

"Carpe, Carpe Diem. Enjoy life."

There will be no dopamine-pumping action, but a real teacher who delivers a heavy resonance to everyone's heart will take the stage.

On the morning of the 22nd, a production briefing for the play 'Dead Poets Society' (directed by Jo Kwang-hwa) was held at the Artists' House in Dongseung-dong, Jongno-gu, Seoul. Actors Cha In-pyo, Oh Man-seok, Yeon Jung-hun, Kim Rak-hyun, Lee Jae-hwan, Chan-hee (SF9), Kim Tae-gyun, Moon Sung-hyun, producer Kim Yong-kwan, and director Jo Kwang-hwa attended the event.

'Dead Poets Society' is based on the play of the same name by Tom Schulman, which was released in 1989 and won the Academy Award for Best Original Screenplay. While the original film received great love, it is also being performed on stage. 'Dead Poets Society' focuses on the essential value of the iconic line and text 'Carpe Diem' (Seize the Day), which has been deeply ingrained in popular culture and the education sector for decades and has become a motto for the lives of modern young people.

Director Jo Kwang-hwa explained, "I thought we had to create a Korean version adapted to our educational reality, and I was confident that making a Korean-style 'Dead Poets Society' would succeed. Schools have goals, so dissatisfaction with the system is inevitable. This work deals with stories from our society and shines a light not only on the relationship between teachers and students but also on various relationships such as mentor and mentee."

Actors Cha In-pyo, Oh Man-seok, and Yeon Jung-hun will play the role of John Charles Keating. In particular, Cha In-pyo and Yeon Jung-hun are making their debut in theater with this work.

Cha In-pyo said, "In 1990, when I was 23, I watched the movie 'Dead Poets Society' with my mother and younger sister at a local theater. When we came out of the movie, the expressions of all the audience members who had just finished watching were similar. They all had expressions of recalling answers to Mr. Keating's questions." He continued, "I was the same. I was excited. After living 36 more years, I realized that what Mr. Keating said back then was right. I felt that life is a poem written from each person's heart. As I grew older and realized this, I was told that 'Dead Poets Society' would be premiered as a play, and fortunately, I was offered the role, so I eagerly accepted. This is my first play."

Yeon Jung-hun said, "Like Senior Cha In-pyo, I am also challenging myself in my first play. When I was young, I couldn't see this movie, but later, as I got older, I searched for Robin Williams' movies and watched it. Watching the movie at a more mature age, I felt the message and resonance this work gives." He added, "Since this is the premiere in Korea, as an actor challenging myself in theater for the first time, I was nervous, but I wanted to take on the challenge. Because it is this work, I was able to choose it. Although I am lacking, I want to convey the same resonance to the generation below us as much as possible. Personally, I wanted to challenge myself at least once in my acting career."

With the recent popularity of Netflix's 'True Education' raising interest in teachers' rights, Cha In-pyo, who plays the role of Mr. Keating, pointed out the work's differentiation. Cha In-pyo said, "I watched 'True Education' a bit. There were scenes that were refreshing like dopamine exploding, and there were also heartbreaking scenes. If 'True Education' shed light on the dark shadows that arise within the education system, in my personal opinion, 'Dead Poets Society' seems to be more about the choices of life for each individual, each student, living within that system, rather than a story about the education system or structure itself. I think it is about what your value is, what you look at, and what you choose to select. It carries a message that asks questions about values rather than right and wrong."

Yeon Jung-hun also commented on his feelings about appearing on stage as a teacher amidst high interest in teachers' rights due to the recent buzz around 'True Education'. He said, "I haven't been able to watch 'True Education'. As someone raising a child, I don't know what is right. I think there is no correct answer." He added, "I feel this way even more because I have experienced education both in Korea and abroad. As I take on the role of Mr. Keating, the words I say to the students might not be the correct answer. However, I think it is about giving a message about certain directions. I want to share various thoughts."

Oh Man-seok said, "I am currently teaching at a university, not a high school. We usually refer to them as teachers, but the meaning of 'teacher' is someone who was born first. I think true education is showing what kind of life a person born first lives, and setting an example by asking, 'How about living like that person?'"

'Dead Poets Society' aims to raise gentle waves and questions in the heart instead of dopamine-pumping action.

Meanwhile, 'Dead Poets Society' will open its curtains next month on the 18th at NOL Theater's Our Card Hall in Seochon-dong.

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*This content was translated by AI.