Chekhov’s ‘Uncle Vanya’ returns with actor Lee Seo-jin

Actor Lee Seo-jin, center, speaks during a press conference about "Uncle Vanya" in Seoul, Tuesday. Yonhap

Russian writer Anton Chekhov’s “Uncle Vanya” is returning to the stage this spring in a new LG Arts Center production reframing the 19th-century Russian classic’s quiet storms of regret, unrealized dreams and ordinary people’s everyday resilience to resonate with audiences in 2026 Korea.

The original work, first staged in 1899, centers on Vanya, who devotes his life to managing a rural estate in Russia for his late sister’s husband, a professor. He confronts that his sacrifices may have been in vain when the professor returns with his beautiful, young new wife Yelena. And the fragile peace Vanya has maintained with his niece Sonya and their neighbors begins to crumble.

Despite its 19th-century origins, the story is not confined to a specific time or place, the creative team stressed at a press conference, Tuesday.

LG Arts Center's head Lee Hyun-jung said the goal is “to share values with audiences through a classic that still poses valid questions for our time.” Director Son Sang-gyu described the play as a portrait of “ordinary people living amid lost years and unrealized dreams that exist in any era, anywhere,” adding that he hopes to offer a heavy yet gentle message: “You did nothing wrong, and you are fine as you are.”

The work will be a theater debut for its leads, actor Lee Seo-jin and Go Ah-sung.

The cast members — from left, actors Kim Soo-hyun, Lee Hwa-jung, Lee Seo-jin, Go Ah-sung and Yang Jong-uk — pose during a press conference for the play “Uncle Vanya” at the LG Arts Center in Seoul, Tuesday. Yonhap

Lee, who debuted in the 1999 SBS drama “House Above the Waves” and has since built a familiar presence thorough TV series, films and hit reality shows, will play Vanya in all 22 performances.

He said he had initially declined the role, thinking he was too old for a play, but changed his mind after younger acquaintances encouraged him to accept the challenge.

“But, now I’m regretting it,” he said with a laugh, adding the preparation was too hard. "It could be my last stage work."

Known to many viewers for his grumbling yet quietly responsible persona in reality shows such as “Grandpas Over Flowers,” “Three Meals a Day” and “Jinny’s Kitchen,” Lee said he found unexpected affinity with Vanya’s midlife malaise.

Director Son said he cast Lee after sensing a mix of dry humor and steadfast responsibility behind the actor’s on-screen grumbling persona, which he thought fit Vanya who complains yet never stops shouldering the burden.

For Go, who made her screen debut at 14 in Bong Joon-ho’s “The Host” (2006) and has since starred in works including “Snowpiercer” (2013), "Uncle Vanya" will also be her stage debut as Sonya, Vanya’s niece and emotional anchor. She said the rigor of theater, which demands sustained intensity without the safety net of retakes, has been challenging but meaningful.

The play is expected to have an overlap with another production, as the National Theater Company of Korea is schedued to stage its own production of the same play in late May.

LG Arts Center's Lee and director Son both welcomed the overlap, suggesting that it may reflect the sense of hopelessness and lack of direction in life felt among Koreans and the demand for bringing the classic play back to the stage.

“Uncle Vanya” runs from May 7 to 31 at LG Art Center Seoul.