Interview with So Yoo-jin as Archana in the play ‘The Seagull’
Actress So Yoo-jin shared her thoughts on meeting audiences through the play 'The Seagull' directed by Lee Soon-jae and expressed her desire to do a drama.
‘The Seagull’, which opened on December 21 last year, is based on a play by Anton Chekhov, a leading Russian playwright. It is a story of tragic love and desperate conflict between characters, and the search for the reason for human existence and the meaning of life.
So Yoo-jin played the role of Aruka in the play. Arcagna is an actress who dominated her era and is in love with a young famous writer. He is also called ‘Sorkkana’.
When many people think of So Yoo-jin's name, the first person who comes to mind is her husband, Baek Jong-won. So Yoo-jin married culinary researcher Baek Jong-won in 2012, and they have one son and two daughters.
However, So Yoo-jin started out as an actor and still has a great desire for acting. It is enough to be called an all-round entertainer who does not want to miss anything, not only as an actor, but also as an MC, entertainment, and parenting. Ten Asia met So Yoo-jin, who is still thirsty for acting.
So Yoo-jin chose three consecutive theater works, starting with 'King Lear' in 2021, followed by 'Kim Ji-young, Born 1982', and 'The Seagull', which is currently being performed. He said, "Children are the biggest reason I chose theater. Once the schedule for dramas and movies is set, there are a lot of changes, such as location, etc. There are many things that go out in the morning and come back at night. But for plays, the practice time and performance time are fixed." He said.
He continued, "My first and second children are now in the second and first grades of elementary school. If I don't do plays, I can watch my children better, but I think I'm the type of person who wants to work. I want to work, but I'd feel sorry for my children if I got overloaded with work. It was the same. That's why I chose theater. Children need to settle down when they're in the first or second grade of elementary school, and it takes a lot of work from the mother. But I want to do my own thing," he added.
Soo-jin Soo said, "So, like a mother who commutes, I give my children missions, and I like it because I can do my own work and move in a planned manner by time zone. My husband is also very satisfied because when I do a play, I can do my work accurately and in a planned manner." If I send it to my husband, instead of saying, ‘Why aren’t you answering the phone?’, he can know, ‘You must be at the performance right now.’ We are stable with each other. That’s why we started doing plays one after another. It was fun to act while taking care of our children. “He laughed.
So Yoo-jin says, “I like theater.” He said, "The reason I chose theater is based on 'I like it.' I like the joy I can feel when acting on stage. Of course, I like drama, and I want to do it. While we're busy, we can always turn off the TV and watch it, right? “But with a play, you set up a date with a friend to watch the two hours of the performance, eat before the performance, and even walk home together after the performance,” he said.
He also said, “Isn’t this something that takes up a lot of time for us? It’s nice to be able to sit and breathe together. That’s why the stage has become more precious. I feel alive through sharing this time with the audience. Energy makes you do better with your children. Don't they say endorphins come in handy? I think I can become a better mother if I share more good energy with my children. I'm grateful to all the audience who come to the theater. The audience is like a gift to the actors. “It’s a feeling,” he said.
So Yoo-jin said, "I like the stage, but I also want to do dramas. I'm also open to appearing in dramas. I don't care about anything either. Since I'm currently doing a period drama, I jokingly said, 'I want to do fantasy.' After I finish performing on stage, I want to go in a time machine. "It feels like I'm going home. Just like now, I like period dramas, historical dramas, and fantasy. All genres are good," he emphasized.
Meanwhile, the play 'Seagull' starring Soo-jin Soo will be performed at the Universal Arts Center on February 5th.
Kang Min-kyung, Ten Asia reporter kkk39@tenasia.co.kr