Discover the Emotional Depths: A Review of the Play ‘홍도’ Starring 예지원

Ye Ji-won / Photo: DB

[Sports Today reporter Song Oh-jung] Actress Ye Ji-won, who appears in the play ‘Hongdo,’ outlined the choices she made to craft her own distinct take among the three actresses portraying Hongdo.

On the afternoon of the 1st, a press conference for the play ‘Hongdo’ was held at Sungshin Women’s University Unjeong Green Campus. After a delay in the highlight scenes, the Q&A included artistic director Go Seon-woong; Kim Myung-gyu, president of the National Asia Culture Center Foundation; costume designer Chai Kim (Kim Young-jin); and cast members Park Ha-sun, Ye Ji-won, Choi Ha-yoon, Jung Bo-seok and Hong Eui-jun.

The play reinterprets universal themes of tragic love and sacrifice through the story of Hongdo—who becomes a gisaeng to support her brother’s education—and Gwang-ho, the son of a prestigious family.

Among the three actresses playing Hongdo, Ye Ji-won—who has been with the production since its premiere—brought a seasoned depth to the role. She joked that she only recently learned Hongdo is 18 and said she felt honored. “At first I tried deliberately to act younger, but director Go told me not to. I’ve been working hard to find that balance,” she explained, describing the acting choices she used to define her Hongdo.

Although she has been involved since the premiere 10 years ago, Ye said this run feels like a new challenge. “It feels like starting over. Even though the lines are in Korean, memorizing them isn’t easy. It’s been a valuable time learning words we don’t often use,” she said.

Reflecting on how things have changed in 10 years, she noted that many actors from the Mabangjin troupe who were there 10 years ago remain and have developed stronger vocal technique, maturing into major performers. “I thought I needed to step up,” she laughed. “Whether it’s making the audience laugh or making them cry, my goal is to deliver those emotions to them.”

The play ‘Hongdo’ runs at Seoul Arts Center’s CJ Towol Theater from April 10 to 26. After completing 22 performances there, the production will tour 7 cities nationwide: the National Asia Culture Center in Gwangju; Daegu’s Suseong Artpia; Ansan Arts Center; Pohang Culture & Arts Center; Miryang Arirang Art Center; Busan Citizens’ Hall; and Anseong Matchum Art Hall.

[Sports Today reporter Song Oh-jung ent@stoo.com]
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