Why a cast of K-drama veterans came back to the stage for Korea's 'Angels in America'

The Korean production of 'Angels in America' faces challenges and excitement as it brings Tony Kushner's masterpiece to Seoul, featuring a star-studded cast and tackling themes of AIDS and sexuality.

Actors Lee Tae-vin as Louis, right, and Son Ho-jun as Prior perform a scene from "Angels in America" at Sungshin Women's University Mia Unjeong Green Campus in Gangbuk District, northern Seoul, on Wednesday. [LABAMINE]

On Wednesday, a couple of weeks before the hourslong gay fantasia “Angels in America” opens in Seoul, the local cast and crew were up to their ears in work, inhaling Tony Kushner's genius from the script.

Actors Jeong He-in as Harper, left, and Yoo Seung-ho as Prior [LABAMINE]

"'Angels in America' is a piece of theater that has upended my worldview,” director Shin Yu-cheong told the press during a news conference at Sungshin Women's University Mia Unjeong Green Campus in Gangbuk District, northern Seoul. And while the production process has proven challenging at times, “I feel every grueling moment will be worth it when we finally present it to the Korean audiences and present it right. I want to closely depict Tony’s world.”

“Kushner is not only a great storyteller, but also an excellent writer, and I wanted to capture those flowing sentences in the translation,” said Hwang Seok-hee, one of Korea's top translators. Hwang has translated over 600 English works, mainly films, and most notably the “Deadpool” series, but said the Korean “Angels in America” is one of the best works he’s ever seen.

Translator Hwang Seok-hee speaks to the press during a press conference for "Angels in America" at Sungshin Women's University Mia Unjeong Green Campus on Wednesday. [LABAMINE]

Poster of the upcoming play "Angels in America" [LABAMINE]

“Angels in America” is a two-part epic set in 1980s New York City when the United States was struggling with the AIDS epidemic and the Reagan era of conservative politics. It weaves in a fantastical element as an angel delivers a prophecy to Prior Walter, a 30-year-old man who has AIDS. Parts one and two premiered in 1991 and 1992 and were staged on Broadway in 1993.

The show has since received awards including the Pulitzer Prize for Drama, the Tony Award for Best Play, and the Drama Desk Award for Outstanding Play. It was also adapted into a six-part miniseries, released in 2003 on HBO, featuring Hollywood actors Meryl Streep, Al Pacino and Emma Thompson.

Actors Lee Tae-vin as Louis, left, and Son Ho-joon as Prior [LABAMINE]

Part one, “Millennium Approaches,” is set to run through from Aug. 6 to Sept. 28 at LG Arts Center in Gangseo District, western Seoul. It runs for 190 minutes with two intermissions. Director Shin does not, as of now, plan to restage part two.

It will be the show's second staging in Korea following a one-month run in 2021. Part two, “Perestroika,” was produced in 2022 but was cut short due to actors contracting Covid-19.

Director Shin Yoo-cheol speaks to the press during a press conference for "Angels In America" at Sungshin Women's University Mia Unjeong Green Campus on Wednesday. [LABAMINE]

Shin has worked with long shows before, but the three-hour-plus “Angels in America” was a different beast: The director had to make sure actors went home after rehearsal because there was just so much to do every day.

For the audience, however, he wants the end material to feel like one hour instead of three. “Time can run differently in theater than reality. I hope people can experience this in our show.”

The play’s cast has been pulled from both stage and screen for this “Angels in America,” including some unexpected stars.

Actor Go Joon-hee as Harper [NEWS1]

K-drama star Yoo Seung-ho is making his stage debut as Prior Walter, a gay man dying from AIDS. Actor and singer Son Ho-jun, who alternates the role of Prior, hasn't performed in a play in a decade, while veteran actor Lee Hyo-jung, who plays secretly gay lawyer Roy Cohn hasn't done one in 25 years. Lee’s son, rookie TV actor Lee You-jin, is also making his theatrical debut as Joseph Pitt, an unhappily married Mormon who belatedly discovers that he is gay. Movie star Go Joon-hee, who plays Harper Pitt, Joseph’s wife with high anxiety and drug addiction, has been on a hiatus since 2019. This show marks her comeback as well as her debut in theater.

Actor Yoo Seung-ho as Prior [NEWS1]

“I don’t know why I decided to do ‘Angels in America,” said Yoo. “I will likely contemplate this question until the end of the show’s run.”

“I also don’t know why I said I would do ‘Angels in America,” said Go. “But I did feel excited [upon reading the script] and just kind of leaped into it.”

Son took his role because he wanted to be among talented actors and hopefully learn from them. “I am an extreme introvert, so this is a huge challenge for me. But working with such great actors, I am now confident and looking forward to performing in front of an audience.”

Actors Jeong Kyung-hun as Louis, left, and Son Ho-joon as Prior [ANGELS IN AMERICA]

Actor Jeong He-in as Harper [LABAMINE]

Lee Hyo-jung joined the play to support his son’s theatrical debut.

“At first, I was a bit worried about if we could act together, but it was actually perfectly fine,” Lee Hyo-jung said.

But most of all, he was thankful for the opportunity to reconnect with his son. “I’m sure many males in Korea can agree, we usually don’t talk to our fathers very much. But through ‘Angels In America’ I kind of feel like I found my lost son,” he added jokingly. “In all sincerity, while I am happy about acting, I am especially happy that I can strengthen my relationship with You-jin.”

Actor Lee Hyo-jung as Roy [LABAMINE]

Rounding out the cast are Jeong He-in, who alternates Harper Pitt with Go; Lee Tae-vin and Jung Kyung-hun as Louis Ironson, Prior’s lover; Yang Ji-won, who alternates Joseph Pitt with Lee You-jin; Kim Joo-ho, who alternates Roy Cohn with Lee Hyo-jung; Jeon Guk-hyang and Bang Ju-ran as Joseph Pitt’s mother, Hannah Pitt; Tae Hang-ho and Min Jin-woong as professional nurse and ex-drag queen Belize; and Kwon Eun-hye as Angel.

Themes such as AIDS and sexuality were new for many of the actors, who said they felt they were starting from scratch when approaching the material.

Actors Tae Hang-ho as Belize, left, and Yoo Seung-ho as Prior [LABAMINE]

“I don’t ever think I can fully act their whole truth, but we are reading and researching a lot,” said Yoo, who painted his fingernails and donned jewelry to understand Prior Walter better.

Lee Tae-vin, a BL, or boys' love, drama star, showed more confidence, saying he plans to bring his youthful charm to the role of Louis Ironson. Having turned 28 this year, Lee is the youngest member of the cast.

Ultimately, inching closer to these terrifying, yet incredibly strong roles will require opening up as an actor, Jeong He-in said. “I think I can speak for the entire cast [when I say] that we are giving our all to become closer to our characters who all bear incredible depth.”

BY LEE JIAN [lee.jian@joongang.co.kr]