[On Stage] Actor, Producer, Professor Show 'Versatile Transformations'... Yet Acting Remains Their True Calling

Play 'The Dresser' Song Seung-hwan

[Asia Economy Reporter Park Byung-hee] On the stage of life, Song Seung-hwan (63) has played various roles.

Song Seung-hwan debuted as a child actor on KBS at the age of 8 in 1965. In the early 1980s, he hosted KBS's representative show programs 'Youth March' and 'Gayo Top Ten.' In 1985, he went to study abroad in New York, USA. After four years, he returned and transformed into a producer. In 1990, he produced Kang Su-ji's debut album. He gained worldwide fame with the non-verbal performance 'Nanta,' which premiered in 1997. He also nurtured future talents as an associate professor at Myongji University's Department of Film and Musical (2005?2010) and as dean of the College of Converged Culture and Arts at Sungshin Women's University (2010?2012). During the 2018 Pyeongchang Winter Olympics, he was the general director of the opening and closing ceremonies.

"I have done many different things. When I was young, there were hardly any child actors. So there were many places looking for actors, such as radio serials, TV serials, and theater stages. As a result, I ended up working a lot. It became a habit ingrained in me. During my adolescence, I became the head of the household and had to do various jobs to make a living. I got used to doing many things like that."

Among the many roles, Song Seung-hwan said, "I had the greatest self-esteem as an actor." He is returning to acting. He will appear on stage in 'The Dresser,' which opens next month on the 18th at Jeongdong Theater. Although he appeared in the MBC drama 'Spring Night' last year, it has been nine years since he acted as a theater actor, last appearing in 'The Seagull' in 2011.

'The Dresser' is also the first play Jeongdong Theater has presented in 12 years since 'Silver World (2008).' Starting this year, Jeongdong Theater is launching the 'Master Actor Series,' performing one new play each year with Korea's representative actors. Song Seung-hwan is the first protagonist. The actors choose the works themselves.

Photo by Jeongdong Theater

Debuted as a child actor at age 8 in 1965
Produced 'Nanta' - General director of Olympic opening and closing ceremonies

Back on stage as theater actor Song Seung-hwan after 9 years
First lead in Jeongdong Theater's 'Master Actor Series'

'The Dresser' depicts a day's chaos in a Shakespearean theater company during World War II. Song Seung-hwan plays 'Sir,' the company leader and actor. He described the character as "a stubborn and tenacious person who has lived fiercely." The dresser 'Norman,' who helps Sir despite his irritability and mobility difficulties, is played by Ahn Jae-wook and Oh Man-seok.

In reality, Song Seung-hwan's eyesight has deteriorated to the point where he needs assistance. During the interview, the distance between Song and the reporter was about 5 meters. While answering questions, Song could not focus on the reporter's face. He confessed, "I can't see the faces of reporters at all; I only hear their voices."

He cannot see text messages on his phone or scripts. He listens and memorizes scripts. At the first reading and meeting for 'The Dresser' last month, he memorized the script in advance so that juniors would not feel uncomfortable.

"My eyesight is somewhat impaired, but with a little more effort, it doesn't seem to be a big problem. My vision worsened, and last year I filmed 'Spring Night' for the first time. I was very worried, but after trying, I thought, 'I can act.' I can learn positions and movements during rehearsals. However, I can't go out alone when the stage goes dark, so Norman will hold me and help me out then. My eyesight started to deteriorate from March after the 2018 Pyeongchang Winter Olympics ended. Now, I have become quite accustomed to not seeing well. Medically, the deterioration has stopped. I am very grateful that I can still act."

Photo by Jeongdong Theater

Portraying an aging actor role, acting with life experience
Giving his best over 60 years with no regrets

Song Seung-hwan said 'The Dresser' is a work that feels like his own story. "Since it is a role of an aging actor, I empathize well not just with one scene but throughout the entire play. I often feel like it's my own story. I am preparing very joyfully."

He has appeared in about 100 dramas and films combined so far. He has produced about 50 plays and acted in about 50 plays. He said, "I have played various roles, but this is my first time playing an actor."

'The Dresser' premiered in the UK in 1980. It was also made into a film in 1983. In 2015, BBC produced a TV film version starring master actors Anthony Hopkins and Ian McKellen as Sir and Norman. At that time, Hopkins and McKellen were 77 and 76 years old, respectively.

"I don't really know what age means. Nowadays, 60 is considered young, and people say that the age now is very different from the old days. Nevertheless, from my experience, after passing 60, I started thinking about death and the end of life. Before 60, I never thought about dying. In this play, Sir dies at the end, and it doesn't feel like someone else's story."

Still, Song Seung-hwan said he has "not really regretted much" about his 60-plus years of life, though it might sound a bit arrogant. "I just did my best in everything in my own way. While directing the Pyeongchang Olympics, I regretted a few times. It was so hard that I wondered why I did it. But looking back, I think being the general director of the Olympic opening and closing ceremonies was a great learning experience and an important asset for me. I have no particular regrets."

He cited 'Nanta' and 'Equus' as memorable works. 'Nanta' faced its biggest crisis this year due to the COVID-19 pandemic. "We performed 'Nanta' every day for over 20 years without a break, but this year, due to COVID-19, the theater was closed for six months. That caused a lot of stress and worry. I thought about how to live the rest of my life and decided to work hard on acting again."

Song Seung-hwan said, "McKellen, who is over 80 this year, is performing Hamlet." He added, "Now that I am older, I have the desire to perform older roles splendidly, so I chose 'The Dresser.' While I will continue producing works as a PD, I will show more of myself as an actor starting with 'The Dresser.'"