Choi Soo-jong and Ha Hee-ra star in 'Love Letter,' sharing their first stage together: "Even after 24 hours, it still feels fresh" [Comprehensive]

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Actors Choi Soo-jong and Ha Hee-ra took on a new challenge as performers by appearing on the same stage for the first time through the play "Love Letter."

The press call for the play "Love Letter" was held on the 10th at the Daechi Art Hall of KT&G Sangsangmadang in Gangnam-gu, Seoul. Director Oh Ru-pi-na and actors Choi Soo-jong and Ha Hee-ra attended the event.

"Love Letter" is a work depicting the story of Andy and Melissa, who maintain a special bond throughout their lives by exchanging letters from childhood.

Director Oh Ru-pi-na expressed satisfaction with this production, stating, "When working on a piece, there are times when it is difficult or painful, but this time we have been working happily."

She continued, "In the premiere and revival, excellent actors made the work enjoyable, but for the third season, I wanted to show a slightly more vibrant atmosphere. We approached it with the intention of conveying the situations faced by the characters receiving the letters in a more entertaining way," adding, "I hope many audiences will enjoy watching."

She specifically explained that songs and dances not seen in previous performances were newly added for this season. Director Oh Ru-pi-na stated, "While focusing on the emotions of the characters, we wanted to express them more richly. We added songs and dances that were not present in past seasons, so the two actors sing and dance directly," adding, "We worked hard so that audiences could feel as if they themselves were receiving and reading a letter."

She also did not hesitate to praise the active participation of Choi Soo-jong and Ha Hee-ra. She said, "What I felt was truly impressive about both of them is that every time I proposed something or attempted a new idea, they approached it even more actively than I did," revealing her gratitude and trust in the two actors.

Choi Soo-jong plays Andy, a model student who has lived faithfully to the life his parents desired. Following his return to the stage after about nine years with the play "Oedipus," Choi chose "Love Letter" as his next work.

Speaking about his first attempt at "Love Letter," Choi Soo-jong said, "Jung Bo-seok played Andy during the revival, and I had a phone call with him while preparing for this work. When I asked how he memorized the lines, he said, 'I barely memorized them at the end.' I also really barely memorized them," eliciting laughter.

He continued, "When I first came out on stage and looked at the audience, my mind went blank. Through various experiences, I am now performing enjoyably."

Choi Soo-jong also said, "I feel that I have met many wonderful people and am working on a good piece. Just as with 'Oedipus,' which I performed previously, I am learning a lot by meeting Director Oh Ru-pi-na for this 'Love Letter' as well."

He added, "I am grateful that you have opened an opportunity to challenge songs and dances I had not tried in theater before and to pour out emotions more richly," adding, "It is truly grateful and enjoyable to be able to work with good people."

Ha Hee-ra plays Melissa, a free spirit who grew up in a wealthy environment but possesses a lack of parental love. Ha took on the role of Melissa for the third time, following her performances in 2022 and 2024.

On this day, Ha Hee-ra stated, "This is my third performance, and I really like and love the character Melissa. I am approaching it with the mindset that this is the last one," adding, "I am having a good time because I can work with a great director and a great co-star."

She continued, "Since this is the third time, I had expectations that it would be special. Working with the director, it seems the work has become even richer."

She said, "The director accepts actors' opinions well. He is someone who takes a small spark and turns it into a much bigger fire," revealing her trust in Director Oh Ru-pi-na.

She added, "It was that difficult of a work, and it required time to put in a lot of effort."

The fact that Choi Soo-jong and Ha Hee-ra, who are actually a married couple, are meeting on the same stage as actor to actor for the first time since their debut is the biggest point of interest for this season. In particular, Ha Hee-ra also shared words her husband Choi Soo-jong emphasized while preparing for the play.

She stated, "Mr. Choi Soo-jong often said that 'if actors are uncomfortable and struggling on stage, the audience will be happy,'" adding, "He prepared hard for the work to that extent."

Ha Hee-ra also attributed special meaning to appearing on stage with Choi Soo-jong. She said, "We practiced singing and dancing together at home," adding, "It was a big deal to do the same work as Mr. Choi Soo-jong."

She continued, "Since we have been together for a long time, it is comfortable, but when it comes to actually going on stage, I get nervous," speaking candidly.

She added, "Before going on stage, we hold hands and pray before coming up," sharing the special way the couple approaches the stage together.

As mentioned, the fact that Choi Soo-jong and Ha Hee-ra, who are actually a married couple, are meeting on the same stage as actor to actor for the first time since their debut is the biggest point of interest for this season.

Ha Hee-ra revealed that changes have occurred in her daily life while appearing on stage with her husband. She explained, "We come from home to the theater together, and we rehearse lines up to Act 1 even in the car. Upon arriving at the theater, we rehearse up to Act 2, then return to our respective spaces to practice the parts we need."

She continued, laughing, "I think I am a little better at singing than Mr. Choi Soo-jong," adding, "Since I must not forget the lyrics, I practice singing hard. When we arrive on site, we dance to warm up our bodies; it may look like free-form dancing, but it is actually choreographed."

However, she revealed that because they are an actual married couple, there are parts where they are instead cautious.

Ha Hee-ra said, "I reflect on whether I could have glared like this if my co-star were not my husband. There are many times when I feel sorry for doing something I would never do to another actor," adding, "I feel guilty worrying that he might be hurt."

In response, Choi Soo-jong revealed that despite their long marriage, he discovered a new side of his wife through this work.

He said, "Our schedules are exactly the same for 24 hours. We wake up at the same time, eat meals together, and spend the rest of the time almost identically. But while doing theater together this time, I really discovered new aspects."

He continued, "People close to us say, 'What is there to discover after 34 years of marriage?' but there was," adding, "I felt that Ms. Ha Hee-ra, who fulfills various roles as a woman, a parent, and a mother, is truly amazing," revealing his affection.

He particularly emphasized that there is much to learn from Ha Hee-ra as an actor. Choi Soo-jong said, "She does not tolerate mistakes on stage and works very hard. Even looking at her as an actor, I feel there are many things I should learn," expressing his respect for his wife.

Ha Hee-ra also expressed gratitude, saying she discovered a new side of her husband. She stated, "Mr. Choi Soo-jong is the mood-maker on site. I tend to be very nervous before performances, so I am not the type who talks well with others."

She continued, "It seems to be the first time male and female actors are using the same dressing room. There is a separate space for changing clothes, but the production company naturally gave us one dressing room."

Ha Hee-ra said, "But living together, it was very different from my routine for preparing for theater so far," adding, "There are parts where Mr. Choi Soo-jong makes me feel comfortable when I am nervous, and I have received a lot of help."

Regarding her acting chemistry with her husband Choi Soo-jong, Ha Hee-ra said, "A senior acquaintance said jokingly, 'You two must be close,' when he heard we were doing theater together," laughing.

She continued, "I remember performing together even before our marriage, but as actor to actor, Mr. Choi Soo-jong and I seem to have had good chemistry originally. I felt that in this play as well."

She emphasized, "You might think that because we are a couple, our chemistry naturally matched well, but it seems we were able to show good chemistry even as actor to actor."

In particular, Ha Hee-ra said, "There were parts I could not easily ask other actors for, but I could ask Mr. Choi Soo-jong for many things, and he accepted such suggestions well," adding, "We talked endlessly about the situation and character, allowing us to exchange good opinions with each other."

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*This content was translated by AI.View Original