[Sportschosun reporter Jo Yoon-sun] Park Geun-hyung and Kai look back on memories of legendary actor Lee Soon-jae.
On the 27th episode of MBN's "Kim Joo-ha's Day & Night," actor Park Geun-hyung, known for his unmatched charisma, and actor Kai, who has a softer kind of charisma, appear to share a range of stories brought together by the play "The Merchant of Venice."
That day, Park Geun-hyung shared the remarkable story of returning to the role of Shylock in "The Merchant of Venice" after an astonishing 67 years.
Park Geun-hyung recalled those days, saying, "I entered the first class of the Department of Theater and Film at Chung-Ang University in 1959, and at the time, we staged 'The Merchant of Venice' to celebrate the university president's birthday and the founding of the theater department. The role I was assigned at the professor's request was Shylock." He then expressed his deep emotion, saying, "This is a blessing from heaven."
Kai said that appearing on stage with Park Geun-hyung in "The Merchant of Venice" was "probably a common dream and goal for many actors." He also shared a special story about performing not only with Park Geun-hyung, but also with the late Lee Soon-jae and Shin Goo. Kai explained, "I worked with Shin Goo in a production called 'Last Session,' and with Lee Soon-jae in a production called 'Waiting for Godot to Wait for Godot.'" He added that it was an honor to share the stage with three of Korea's greatest legendary actors.
In particular, Park Geun-hyung revealed behind-the-scenes memories related to the variety show "Grandpas Over Flowers," which he did with the late Lee Soon-jae, Shin Goo, and Baek Il-seop. Park Geun-hyung surprised everyone by saying, "I used to drink a lot when I was younger. Right before we went on 'Grandpas Over Flowers,' Shin Goo, the late Lee Soon-jae, Baek Il-seop, and the rest of us got together and said, 'Let's all quit smoking and drinking,' so we all stopped." He then made the set burst into laughter by exposing Shin Goo, saying, "But these days, Shin Goo keeps offering me a drink and tempting me with, 'Have one.'"
Kai brought up the story of his final stage performance with Korea's eternal legendary actor, the late Lee Soon-jae, and the mood turned solemn. Kai said, "I worked with Lee Soon-jae on a production called 'Waiting for Godot to Wait for Godot.'" He added, "That stage performance, when his health was already very poor, was the one I shared with him." He continued, "He had already decided that he absolutely had to go on stage. I wanted to support his decision to keep his promise to the audience." Kai then revealed that he had encouraged him strongly, saying, "Sir, I think you can do it."
Meanwhile, MBN's issue-making talk show "Kim Joo-ha's Day & Night" is a new-format talk show built around the themes of "day and night, calm and passion, information and emotion." It airs every Saturday at 9:40 p.m.
