Lee Seo-jin Takes First Stage Role in 27-Year Career with "Uncle Vanya"

Actor Lee Seo-jin will step onto the theater stage for the first time in his 27-year acting career. Having built his reputation across television and film, attention is now turning to how he will translate that accumulated acting experience into a classic stage production.

The play "Uncle Vanya," produced by LG Arts Center and directed by Son Sang-gyu, recently held its first script reading as preparations for the production officially began. During the reading session, actors shared the emotional tone of the work while exploring character relationships and dramatic arcs together.

Photo by LG Arts Center.

"Uncle Vanya" is one of Russian playwright Anton Chekhov’s most renowned plays, widely regarded as a classic that delicately portrays the emptiness of human existence and the irony of life. Through the conflicts, regrets, and subtle emotional shifts experienced by characters who devoted their lives to family and home, the story reflects on the fundamental nature of human existence.

In this production, Lee Seo-jin takes on the title role of Vanya, the central figure of the play. The character reflects on his life with frustration and anger while still holding affection for his family and an innocent longing for dreams left unfulfilled. Lee will appear as the sole cast member for the role throughout the entire run, portraying the character’s layered emotional changes with intensity.

Lee Seo-jin said he had long hesitated before deciding to step onto the stage, but ultimately chose to take part because it felt like a meaningful challenge as an actor. He added that he plans to focus fully on rehearsals and present his own interpretation of Vanya to the audience.

The production is expected to mark a new turning point in Lee Seo-jin’s career. Known for his familiar presence in dramas and variety programs, attention is now focused on how he will approach Chekhov’s psychologically complex drama on stage.

The play "Uncle Vanya" will run from May 7 to May 31 at LG SIGNATURE Hall of LG Arts Center Seoul.

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