The \”60 Years in Theater\” talk show featuring theater critic Kim Geon-pyo, a professor at Daekyung University, and veteran actor Lee Ho-jae — a member of the National Academy of Arts — drew a large crowd to Bongsan Cultural Center in Daegu on the 23rd.
The first half centered on Lee’s career, from his debut to the present. He shared memories of life onstage, his artistic philosophy and his views on the trajectory of modern Korean theater with the audience.
Recalling his 1963 debut, Lee said, \”Back then, the stage wasn’t so much about acting as it was about holding on.\” He reflected on performing classical works, including Shakespeare, on Korean adaptations and on collaborations with major figures in Korean theater such as Yu Chi-jin, Oh Tae-seok and Yoo Deok-hyung.
A particularly striking moment came when Lee described fleeing to Daegu during the 6·25 Korean War and his connection to the late Daegu-born director Aseong (Lee Pil-dong). He also recounted portraying Dosan Ahn Chang-ho and shared an anecdote about the back of the Daegu Culture and Arts Center abutting the railway tracks at Daegu Station.
The second half took the form of a special interview, with Kim Geon-pyo guiding a wide-ranging conversation that traced Lee’s life and work onstage.
Professor Kim called Lee’s six-decade career a vital record — one that testifies not only to an individual actor’s life but to the arc of Korean theater itself. He said the hour-long conversation served as a moving digest of Lee’s theatrical legacy and expressed hope that the National Academy of Arts would undertake systematic archiving.
An Hee-chul, president of the Daegu Theater Association, said Lee’s six decades on stage constitute the history of Korean theater. He added that the event offered valuable insight to theater professionals in the audience, to students of theater and to the general public.
A representative from the Daegu Jung-gu Cultural Center described the program as entertaining and informative, likening it to a variety show. By hearing the veteran actor’s vivid voice, citizens could witness a scene from theater history firsthand. The center plans to continue humanities programs that bring local residents closer to artists and their work.
Hosted by the National Academy of Arts, the event was held in Space Raon at Bongsan Cultural Center as part of the Daegu Jung-gu Cultural Center’s humanities project.
Lee made his debut in 1963 in Of Mice and Men and, over a 60-year career, has appeared in hundreds of plays and television dramas; he has recently reached viewers through a morning drama. Kim Geon-pyo is a professor in the Department of Theater and Film (Acting Arts) at Daekyung University and a theater critic who continues to contribute to performing-arts discourse across various media.
Most Commented