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"Carpe diem," seize the day.

"Dead Poets Society," famous for this line, has returned as a stage play.

On today's (July 30) Nightline Invitation, we are joined by actor Yeon Jung-hoon, who plays Mr. Keating in the play "Dead Poets Society."

Q. Taking on your first stage play in 27 years... How do you feel about meeting the audience?

[Yeon Jung-hoon / Actor : I'm very nervous. And excited. Because they are watching right up close, I have a strong feeling that I shouldn't make mistakes, and I'm trying hard to present my acting and performance well.]

Q. Why did you choose "Dead Poets Society" as your debut theater project?

[Yeon Jung-hoon / Actor : It's a work I've loved very much since I was young, and it's the very piece that made me want to take on the challenge of theater. I really wanted to try playing this teacher role. As I grow older in my acting career, much like Robin Williams in the past film, I thought I definitely wanted to play such a teacher role, and when it came to us as a play, I think I was able to take on the challenge.]

Q. The play "Dead Poets Society"... What kind of work is it?

[Yeon Jung-hoon / Actor : The background is set around the late 1950s in America. It's a private school, so to speak. A school specializing in entrance exams for the Ivy League or prestigious universities. All the elites gather there and fiercely compete, and Mr. Keating, an alumnus of that school, comes in and teaches, saying, 'This is not the entirety of what you learn; there are many other things, and you must awaken and learn to see the world from a new perspective.' I think I can explain it as events that unfold after a tragedy strikes one of the students.]

Q. Taking on the role of teacher "John Keating"... Have you ever regretted trying theater?

[Yeon Jung-hoon / Actor : Many times. First of all, there are just way too many lines. Practicing with young friends, alongside Oh Man-seok—with whom we share a triple cast—and senior Cha In-pyo, we practiced with all our hearts and souls. After finishing, when harsh critiques poured in from our director, I remember getting really hurt and timidly saying, 'Why are we doing this?' But it was so much fun. Coming to this point, the feeling that I'm so glad I did it is much stronger.]

Q. Triple casting... Do you have your own distinguishing charm?

[Yeon Jung-hoon / Actor : The three of us are all very different. Senior Cha In-pyo's charm is enormous, and as everyone knows, brother Man-seok is the prince of the performing arts world. His name is even Oh Man-seok (which sounds like 'full house' in Korean). He always fills every seat, and I think the charisma of both men is incredible. While my tone is a bit different, I am trying hard to resemble those two. It might be a stretch to call him exclusively my own Mr. Keating, but he's one who shows a bit more love to the students.]

Q. What kind of gaze and mindset do you try to convey to the students?

[Yeon Jung-hoon / Actor : While taking on this role, I always look into the friends' eyes. So I try to make eye contact with each and every one of them and convey what content is important when I teach, and I am still trying my best to do so now.]

Q. What message do you want to deliver to the audience through "Dead Poets Society"?

[Yeon Jung-hoon / Actor : I think it's love. Love for one's disciples, and a teacher who wants to help these friends put down deep roots and bloom wonderful flowers. Rather than saying what is right or wrong, I think it's a work that gives people time to think more from each individual's perspective.]

Q. If there is a "poem" you want to write as an actor moving forward?

[Yeon Jung-hoon / Actor : I want to write poetry endlessly. I suppose there are no limits. I want to try various challenges and continue pursuing those challenges.]