Veteran Actors Shin Goo and Jung Dong-hwan Share the Stage as 'The Two Popes'

[Asia Economy Reporter Seomideum] Veteran actors Shin Goo (86) and Jung Dong-hwan (73) have been cast in the play Two Popes. Two Popes is a work about the friendship between Pope Francis and Pope Benedict XVI, and after its UK premiere, it will be licensed and performed for the first time in the world in Korea. The performances will run at the Seoul KEPCO Art Center from August 30 to October 23.

According to the production company Acom on the 6th, Shin Goo was selected to play Pope Benedict XVI alongside actors Seo In-seok and Seo Sang-won. Jung Dong-hwan was cast as Pope Francis together with Nam Myung-ryeol. Shin Goo appeared on stage in March in the play The Last Session as 'Freud' but was hospitalized due to health deterioration; however, he has now fully recovered and is focusing on rehearsals.

The work is based on the true story of Pope Benedict XVI, who unusually resigned from the papacy voluntarily, and his successor Pope Francis. It was written by the world-renowned British playwright Anthony McCarten. It premiered as a play in June 2019, and in December of the same year, it was released as a film on Netflix, gaining much attention.

The production company explained, "This is a work that asks questions about differences rather than mistakes," adding, "Witty dialogue and warm music pleasantly unfold a subject that could otherwise be heavy."

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.