Theater, musical actors relishing small screen opportunities

Actor Kim Seon-ho / Courtesy of tvN

By Kwak Yeon-soo

Established stage actors have been flocking to the small screen at an accelerating pace, while continuing to maintain their connection to theater.

Kim Seon-ho, who debuted as a stage actor in the 2009 play, "New Boeing Boeing," made the jump to television in 2017 by appearing in KBS2's TV drama, "Good Manager." He then won both the Best New Actor and Excellence Awards for his performance in MBC's "Two Cops" the same year.

In recent years, he has starred in several very highly reviewed series, including tvN's "Start-Up" (2020) and "Hometown Cha-Cha-Cha" (2021). To feel equally comfortable between the screen and the stage, he briefly returned to perform in a play titled, "Ice," earlier this year.

"The stage is where I have much to observe and to learn. Whenever I lose confidence in acting, I think about theater plays," the 35-year-old actor said of returning to the stage. "There is a direct connection between actors with the audience. It's a place filled with passion, where I pour out my acting."

Aside from acting, the actor joined the cast of the fourth season of KBS's long-running variety show, "2 Days & 1 Night," in 2019, with actor Yeon Jung-hoon, comedian Moon Se-yoon, and singers Kim Jong-min, Din Din and Ravi.

Lee Sang-yi, who plays the secondary male lead, Ji Sung-hyun, in "Hometown Cha-Cha-Cha," debuted as a musical actor in "Grease" in 2014. His breakout role was in KBS2's hit series, "Once Again," in 2020.

He then garnered wider popularity after appearing in MBC's variety show, "Hangout with Yoo." He formed a project group, MSG Wannabe, and released a retro-flavored ballad with Kim Jung-min, Simon D and actor Lee Dong-hwi.

Actor Park Eun-seok / Courtesy of SBS

Park Eun-seok, who debuted in the play, "Cats on the Roof," in 2012, also dabbled in both theater and television.

Although it took a while for him to find a role that would leave an impression on people, he shot to stardom after playing a double role as physical education teacher Gu Ho-dong and rich man Logan Lee in SBS's three-season-long series, "Penthouse: War in Life."

After relishing small screen opportunities, he returned to theater by taking on the role of Mozart in the play, "Amadeus."

Actress Jeon Mi-do / Courtesy of tvN

Jeon Mi-do, who debuted in the musical, "Mr. Mouse," in 2006 and has had a career spanning 14 years in plays and musicals, hopped over to the small screen with her breakout role in tvN's "Hospital Playlist."

But as much as she enjoys television, she still considers theater as her performance haven. In between the first and second season, she returned to the musical stage by appearing in "Maybe Happy Ending."

"There's nothing quite like performing in front of a live audience. There is nowhere that's been more comforting to me than a stage. I feel like this is a blessing," she said.

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