Lee Young-ae Returns to Theater After 32 Years... 'Hedda Gabler' Opens in May

Actress Lee Young-ae will return to the theater stage for the first time in 32 years with the play "Hedda Gabler," opening on May 7 at the LG Arts Center Seoul, LG Signature Hall.

The play "Hedda Gabler" is a newly produced work presented by the LG Arts Center to commemorate its 25th anniversary. It will be performed for about a month until June 8 at the LG Arts Center Seoul, LG Signature Hall.

Actress Lee Young-ae starring as the protagonist "Hedda Gabler" in the play "Hedda Gabler"
[Photo by LG Arts Center]

"Hedda Gabler" is a work by Norwegian playwright Henrik Ibsen, famous for "A Doll's House." The play explores the psychology of a woman yearning for freedom amid social constraints and oppression, and is regarded as an important classic often referred to as the "female Hamlet." In particular, the protagonist "Hedda," played by Lee Young-ae, is a complex character who appears elegant on the outside but harbors hidden anxieties, desires, and a destructive nature within. Her complicated psychology and unpredictable behavior provoke various interpretations and debates.

Kim Jung-ho plays Hedda's husband "Tesman," who is only interested in academic achievements; Ji Hyun-jun plays the judge "Brack," who constantly exerts psychological pressure on Hedda from close proximity; Lee Seung-joo plays "L?vborg," an old lover who awakens Hedda's dormant desires; Baek Ji-won plays "Thea," a friend who stirs Hedda's jealousy; Lee Jung-mi plays Tesman's aunt, who holds traditional values; and Jo Eun-jin plays Hedda's maid "Berte."

This production is based on the adaptation by Richard Eyre, which won the Best Revival Award at the 2006 Laurence Olivier Awards. The director is Jeon In-cheol, who received the Best Director Award at the 54th Dong-A Theater Awards. Jeon In-cheol has directed works such as "Kyrie," "I Am a Murderer," "Women on Earth," and "Sister Mokran." Director Jeon In-cheol aims to capture Hedda's multi-layered inner world, reflecting the complex psychology and anxieties of modern society, and to sharply depict the recurring conflicts within social structures through the surrounding characters.

Tickets for the play "Hedda Gabler" will be available for reservation from 2 PM on March 7 through the LG Arts Center Seoul website and major ticketing platforms.

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