[2026 K-Culture ⑩K-Theater] Star Actors Take the Stage... Paving the Way for Overseas Markets

Star actors who have made their mark in films and dramas are expected to return to the theater stage again this year. This trend is attributed to a decrease in the number of film and drama productions due to the influence of online video services (OTT), as well as the rapid expansion of the theater market following the COVID-19 pandemic. These star actors are not only broadening the scope of the theater market but are also serving as catalysts for the overseas expansion of Korean theater. However, the market's growth slowed last year, and, in particular, small theaters in Daehangno, which face difficulties in casting star actors, recorded negative growth in sales.

◆ Star Actors Returning to the Stage in Succession = Seo Yea-ji and Kwak Siyang will make their theatrical debuts in "Death Song," which opens at the Sejong Center M Theater on January 30. "Orphans," opening in March at TOM Theater 1 in Daehangno, is drawing attention as Moon Geun-young's return to theater after nine years.

The greatest attention is focused on the casting for Chekhov's "Uncle Vanya," which LG Arts Center will present in May. Since the COVID-19 pandemic, LG Arts Center has garnered attention by casting star actors. In 2023, "Faust" featured Yoo In-chon, Park Hae-soo, and Won Jin-ah; in 2024, "The Cherry Orchard" starred Jeon Do-yeon and Park Hae-soo. Last year, Lee Young-ae took the stage in "Hedda Gabler." This time, the role of Ivan Voynitsky (Vanya) has been offered to Lee Seojin. If he accepts, it will be his first time performing in a play.

2025 LG Arts Center 'Hedda Gabler' Performance
[Photo by LG Arts Center]

The LG Arts Center Signature Hall is a large theater with more than 1,300 seats. Furthermore, since the performance period lasts about a month, securing a star actor is crucial for the show's success.

Star actors also help LG Arts Center's plays expand overseas. "The Cherry Orchard," which drew attention with the combination of Cannes queen Jeon Do-yeon and "Squid Game" star Park Hae-soo, was staged in Hong Kong and Singapore last year and is scheduled to be performed in Australia in March and New York in September this year. Notably, while the Hong Kong and Singapore performances lasted only three days last year, the upcoming New York run at Park Avenue Armory is scheduled for two weeks in September, drawing significant attention.

Oh Kyung-eun, manager at LG Arts Center, said, "With the spread of K-culture, I believe theater also has a chance to succeed overseas. For last year's overseas performances of 'The Cherry Orchard,' the actors' high recognition and the large number of Korean-speaking audience members led to an enthusiastic response."

"The Cherry Orchard" also gained attention for being directed by world-renowned director Simon Stone. Manager Oh added, "Since opening in 2000, we have planned many international guest performances, which has established a strong overseas network. Now, we are creating productions with overseas expansion in mind."

◆ Growth Slows... Small Theaters See Negative Growth = The emergence of star actors fueled explosive growth in the theater market after COVID-19. Annual ticket sales posted double-digit growth rates each year. However, last year, ticket sales reached 74.1 billion won, up only 0.2% from the previous year. Sales at small theaters in Daehangno, which cannot cast star actors, actually declined by 2%.

Performance critic Park Byung-seong commented, "Even when star actors appear, the impact is not as strong as before. The expansion of the travel and concert markets has also dispersed audiences." He added, "Given the previous explosive growth, even maintaining the current level is difficult. This year, the market is likely to remain flat or shrink slightly."

Some production companies are shifting their focus to musicals. Shownote, which produced three plays last year-"Teverland," "Shakespeare in Love," and "Prima Facie"-plans to stage only musicals this year, including "The Tale April Fools" and "Black Mary Poppins." The company will only participate in plays through co-production or investment. Similarly, Sinsicompanie staged two plays last year but plans to present only four musicals this year, including "Billy Elliot," "Chicago," and the new "Choir of Man." Choi Seung-hee, PR manager at Sinsicompanie, said, "It is difficult to make a profit from plays. Since we staged two last year, we will take a break this year and return to plays next year."

2025 National Theater Company 'Hedda Gabler' Performance
Photo by National Theater Company

◆ National Theater Company and LG Arts Center Face Off for Second Year = One of the highlights of this year's theater scene is that the National Theater Company and LG Arts Center will go head-to-head with the same production for the second consecutive year. Last year, both organizations staged Henrik Ibsen's "Hedda Gabler" at the same time, with Lee Hye-young playing the lead in the National Theater Company's production.

This year, both will stage Anton Chekhov's "Uncle Vanya" in May. LG Arts Center will present it under the title "Vanya Samchon" from May 7 to 31, while the National Theater Company will stage it as "Banya Ajae" from May 22 to 31 at the National Theater's Haeoreum Theater.

The National Theater Company has also been actively pursuing overseas expansion since Park Jeong-hee was appointed as director and artistic director in April 2024. Upon taking office, Director Park emphasized overseas expansion, stating, "While there have been cases of works co-produced with foreign directors being staged abroad, the only production created solely by the National Theater Company to go overseas was 'The Orphan of Zhao, Seeds of Vengeance.' We will actively develop productions with overseas expansion in mind."

The National Theater Company plans to stage last year's "Hedda Gabler" in Singapore this May and "Twelfth Night" in Hong Kong in June.