Actor Ong Seungwu is set to make his debut on the theatrical stage.
Ong Seungwu has been cast as the lead, 'William Shakespeare', in the upcoming play 'Shakespeare in Love', which opens on July 5th.
'Shakespeare in Love' is based on the film of the same name that swept the Academy Awards, Golden Globes, and BAFTAs. It creatively imagines the story behind the creation of Shakespeare's masterpiece 'Romeo and Juliet'.
The story unfolds as a young Shakespeare, hit by a creative slump, meets Viola de Lesseps, a noblewoman with a passion for acting. This encounter reignites his writing, weaving a tale that crosses the boundaries of love and art, freedom, and reality, leaving a lasting impression. The Korean premiere in 2023 has been praised for delicately capturing the original's sentiment and beauty, winning acclaim from audiences and critics alike.
Ong Seungwu portrays William Shakespeare, a budding playwright in 16th century London who finds himself in a creative rut. His chance meeting with Viola inspires him to write 'Romeo and Juliet'. The cast includes Lee Kyu-hyung, Son Woo-hyun, and Lee Sang-yi, with Kim Hyang-gi, Park Ju-hyun, and Lee Joo-young playing Viola.
Ong Seungwu has built a diverse career with roles in dramas like 'At Eighteen', 'Would You Like a Cup of Coffee?', 'Strong Woman Nam-soon', and the film 'Life Is Beautiful'. Notably, his successful voice acting debut in last year's Christmas animation 'Niko: Beyond the Northern Lights' caught everyone's attention.
Having continuously expanded his spectrum through limitless challenges across movies, dramas, and variety shows since his debut, Ong Seungwu's first foray into theater with 'Shakespeare in Love' is highly anticipated. Audiences are eager to see how he will captivate them with his portrayal of William Shakespeare.
Meanwhile, 'Shakespeare in Love', which premiered in London's West End in 2014 and has since been staged in the United States, Canada, Japan, and South Africa, proving its popularity and artistic merit, will be performed at the CJ Towol Theater at the Seoul Arts Center from July 5th to September 14th.
(SBS Entertainment News | Kim Ji-hye)