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It is a production that has garnered overwhelming praise from both the public and critics since its premiere in early 2024, delivering a dense stage presence through its intricate narrative and high tension. The play "The Lives of Others" has now returned for its encore run.

Nightline Invitation tonight features actors Jang Seung-jo and Lee Dong-hwi of the play "The Lives of Others."

Q. Audiences are reacting enthusiastically. How do you feel about returning to the stage?

[Lee Dong-hwi / Actor: Yes, absolutely. It is rare for an actor to be able to work with such a joyful heart because so many audience members come to see it and give such great reviews, so I am performing with a deeply grateful heart.]

Q. Returning to the stage after 7 years... What made you choose "The Lives of Others"?

[Jang Seung-jo / Actor: As those who have seen the work know, the production is simply wonderful. The original work is a movie, and in adapting that movie into a play, theatrical styling, direction, and the passionate performances of the actors combine to make it an exceptionally good production. I once saw a four-minute video of the premiere and thought, "I absolutely have to do this, I want to do this so badly." Even now, getting feedback from industry insiders who come to see the performance saying, "I want to do it so badly, I want to stand on that stage too," makes me think I made a great choice.]

Q. Continuing from the premiere to the encore stage... What charm drew you in?

[Lee Dong-hwi / Actor: At first, I had some doubts about playing the exact same role in the exact same way. But upon reflection, if I could act out the areas that felt a bit regrettable during the premiere and present slightly more complemented and upgraded scenes, I felt it was well worth a challenge. Also, as I mentioned earlier, I was curious about building chemistry with the new cast members Jang Seung-jo and Lim Soo-hyang, so I joined with a very joyful heart.]

Q. What kind of work is the play "The Lives of Others"?

[Jang Seung-jo / Actor: The play "The Lives of Others" is set in East Germany before the fall of the Berlin Wall in 1984. Captain Wiesler, who belongs to the secret police Stasi, wiretaps the home where the top writer of the era Dreyman and the top actor Christa—currently played by actors Woo Jung-won and Lim Soo-hyang—live. Through our play, we show the process by which Wiesler's convictions change as he observes their lives, their love, and their daily routines.]

Q. A character who "listens" to the lives of others... Was it difficult to portray?

[Lee Dong-hwi / Actor: I suppose director Sohn Sang-kyu's exceptional adaptation and analytical skills helped me a lot in my acting. At first, stage acting related to wiretapping felt a bit unfamiliar and awkward to me as well. But as I kept doing it, figuring out what it means to "listen while watching" and coordinating things so as not to interfere with other actors' performances became a fascinating challenge for me as an actor, so I think I've gotten used to it now. During the premiere, whenever I made eye contact while wiretapping, I would instinctively look away, but now I watch and listen with confidence.]

Q. They don't know they are being monitored... How do you pull off "acting without being conscious of it"?

[Jang Seung-jo / Actor: We talked about this during practice with the two actors playing Wiesler: "I am a person who does not exist here. You must not be conscious of me." Once we got on stage keeping that in mind, you actually lose track of where Wiesler is. Because you are constantly interacting and communicating with your fellow actor, your focus is entirely on that, so even though something might be happening behind you, you just don't notice it. I found that fascinating myself.]

Q. What message do you want to convey to the audience through "The Lives of Others"?

[Lee Dong-hwi / Actor: In the final scene, the last line is "This book is for me." While that is seen and read in the film, it is expressed through dialogue in the play. Whether someone is doing it for a specific person or pursuing a dream, in the process of achieving and accomplishing something, individuals keep pursuing and striving for things even if many people do not recognize or highlight them. However, I cautiously wanted to convey that hopefully these things can offer some comfort to the audience, and that such devotion is not worthless.]