Cha In-pyo Invites School Violence Victims to 'Dead Poets Society' Performance: "Hoping My Courage Reaches Them"

Actor and author Cha In-pyo has invited youth victims of school violence to the play "Dead Poets Society."

On July 16, the Blue Tree Foundation announced that Cha In-pyo personally donated tickets for youth and activists affiliated with the foundation to attend the performance. Cha In-pyo plays the lead role of Mr. Keating in the play "Dead Poets Society," which holds its first performance on July 18. He will portray a teacher who values the individual thoughts and potential of students over grades and discipline, and he plans to deliver the message of the work: "Carpe diem, seize the day."

This invitation stems from the connection between Cha In-pyo and the Blue Tree Foundation. Last year, Cha In-pyo attended the foundation's Dae-hyun Scholarship Ceremony as a special guest speaker, offering comfort and courage to youth who have overcome the trauma of school violence.

He is continuing this connection by inviting the youth he met at that time to the performance he is starring in. Cha In-pyo reportedly expressed his wish, saying, "I hope the message I deliver on stage reaches these youth."

The play "Dead Poets Society" is the first official licensed Korean production based on the script by Tom Schulman, which won the Academy Award for Best Original Screenplay in 1989. In the play, Mr. Keating awakens the courage in students trapped by standardized education and strict discipline to think for themselves and choose their own lives. Cha In-pyo plans to convey a message of support to youth who have experienced trauma, telling them, "You are never alone."

The Blue Tree Foundation stated, "We hope this invitation becomes a time to provide comfort and courage to youth who are continuing to recover and grow despite the trauma of school violence and difficult circumstances."

The Dae-hyun Scholarship project was established to commemorate the late Kim Dae-hyun, who passed away due to school violence. It provides scholarships and cultural experience activities to youth who are victims of school violence and those in need of social support. 

(SBS Entertainment News | Kang Kyung-youn)