Shim Eun-kyung Wins Best Actor at 2nd National Theater Company of Korea Supporter's Awards for Her First Stage Challenge

Actor Shim Eun-kyung has won the Best Actor award at the 2nd National Theater Company of Korea Supporter's Awards for her domestic theatrical debut in "Banya Ajae" (adapted and directed by Cho Kwang-hwa).

Shim received the honor at the "2026 National Theater Company Supporter's Night," held on October 27 at the Yeongbinwan of The Shilla Seoul in Jung-gu, Seoul. Marking her first appearance on a domestic theater stage in 23 years since her debut, she touched audiences by portraying the lead character "Seo Eun-hee" in "Banya Ajae" with delicacy and depth.

Taking the stage, Shim reflected, "It is unbelievable and I am so happy to receive this award, especially since I still have so much more to learn. The theater stage was truly not easy. Throughout the rehearsal period and until the very last day of the performance, I agonized over how to faithfully convey the character's emotions and heart to the audience, and particularly over how to create a lasting resonance with my final lines."

She also shared her initial hesitation before choosing the project. "I hesitated, wondering if an inexperienced and young person like me should take on this role, but Director Cho Kwang-hwa's words—'I am inexperienced too, so let's figure it out and learn together'—gave me great comfort and the courage to take a bold leap," she expressed with gratitude. She added, "I will accept this award as a message to keep learning harder and working diligently. I will strive to become an actor who performs for a long time, just like the senior artists here with us today."

"Banya Ajae" is an adaptation of Anton Chekhov's masterpiece "Uncle Vanya," relocated by Director Cho Kwang-hwa to a modern rice mill in Gyeongseong in the late 1930s. Garnering favorable reviews for capturing the loss of family and humanity, a sense of powerlessness, and the irony of life through a distinctly Korean emotional lens, the production sold out all of its performances during its run last May at the National Theater of Korea's Haeoreum Theater.

The character "Seo Eun-hee" played by Shim is the niece of "Park I-bo" (Vanya), a figure who quietly endures a harsh reality while harboring the pain of a failed unrequited love and a complex about her appearance. Shim immersed the audience into the play by packing every single line and gaze with the character's complex emotions.

The National Theater Company of Korea Supporter's Awards is hosted by the supporter's association launched in 2024—74 years after the founding of the National Theater Company, South Korea's first national arts organization established in 1950—to encourage theatrical creators and expand a culture of voluntary private arts patronage. Five productions staged by the National Theater Company between August of last year and July of this year were nominated based on paid seat occupancy rates and paid audience numbers, with winners determined by a advance vote of supporter members. Last year, the inaugural Best Actor award went to Lee Hye Young for "Hedda Gabler".

(Photo courtesy of agency Fanfare, National Theater Company of Korea)

Reported by Kim Ji-hye | SBS Entertainment News
※ Please note: This article was translated by AI and may contain errors.