Cha In-pyo plays mentor onstage, questions whether he is one offstage
Every night at curtain call, the flowers go to Cha In-pyo. Thirty-three years into an acting career that has made him one of the most recognizable faces in the country, that is simply how it works. Lately, however, the flowers and cheers have started to bother him. "I already have fans. When a show ends, I get piles of gifts and bouquets," Cha said at a press conference held Tuesday in a…
Every night, the audience showers Cha In-pyo with flowers and well wishes as he exits the stage. At 33 years into his illustrious acting career, this act of adoration has become a familiar ritual. Recently, however, Cha has begun to feel uncomfortable with the constant adulation. He explained, "I already have fans. When a show concludes, I receive bags of gifts and bouquets.
Many of the younger cast members don't enjoy the same level of attention." This disparity between his star status and that of his colleagues troubles Cha. He is playing the lead role of John Keating, the inspirational English literature teacher in the production of "Dead Poets Society," which will run until September 13. While Keating serves as a beacon of encouragement to the students of Welton Academy, inspiring them to seize the day and think independently, Cha himself is questioning whether he deserves the title of mentor offstage.
At the age of 59, he is not certain if he has earned the right to be considered a mentor. He stated, "The adult I envision is one who doesn't hoard all the success, who steps back and shares it with those who are advancing.
Written by urgent.news from The Korea Times's reporting — not their text. Machine-written — it may contain errors, so check the original before relying on it.