Seo Sang-won (Korean: 서상원; Hanja: 徐祥源, November 11, 1967) is a South Korean actor.[1] He has appeared in supporting roles in various films and television dramas, but is better known for his work as a stage actor. His most known works in television series are Record of Youth (2020), Hometown Cha-Cha-Cha (2021) and Queen of Tears (2024).
Education
In 1986, Seo enrolled in the Department of Tourism Management at Catholic Kwandong University. While studying, he actively participated in the theater club called 'Gil Donga People.' Seo's passion for acting was ignited during his travels in Europe, where he witnessed street musicians living with pride and receiving positive treatment. This experience led him to reflect on his own values and view of art, hoping to live a fulfilling life. Initially seeking a corporate job for financial reason, he realized the insignificance of wasting time and decided to pursue a career as a theater actor in 1992.[2]
Career
In 1992, he briefly worked in the service sales department of Hyundai Motor Company before joining the Theatre Company Michu.[note 1][4] He spent five years at the Theatre Company Michu, gaining experience in translation, creative writing, and performing in various theater productions. Seo took part in many important plays of the company such as "General Oh’s Claw" by Park Jo-yeol and "Namsadang Sky," as well as MBC Madangnori.[2]
After leaving Theatre Company Michu in 1995, he pursued a freelance career in the theater industry. In 1997, he served as a lecturer in the Department of Acting at Sungkyunkwan University Social Education Center. Director Lee Gwang-mo discovered him through a video of his play, and this unexpected opportunity led to his debut in the film industry with the movie 'Beautiful Days.' Seo believes that his existence as an actor is a result of establishing his own values, pursuing his long-standing dream, and maintaining a positive outlook on his given circumstances while utilizing them to his advantage.[2]
In 2001, Seo became member of National Theater Company of Korea. In the same year he took part in stage play Shakespeare's Hamlet, one of the most loved repertoires in the world of performing arts. His roles were nobleman, Norwegian soldier, and Guildenstern.[5]
After six years, he finally got lead role as Hamlet in Terrorist Hamlet (2007), a collaboration between National Theater Company of Korea and German director Jens-Daniel Herzog. He was former Artistic Director of the Mannheim National Theater and considered to be the next-generation director of German contemporary theater. Adaptation of the script were written by Kim Min-hye and Johannes Kirsten. It was premiered as NTCK Regular Performance The 209th World Masterpiece Stage.[6]
In the play, Hamlet appears as an unfamiliar figure in jeans and a pistol in hand, and Claudius who ascended the throne after killing the previous king, is portrayed as a democratic figure representing the new era.[7] For his performance as Hamlet, Seo received the best actor award from 2008 Korean Drama Awards and a 2008 Commendation from the Minister of Culture, Sports and Tourism.[8]
Two years later, Seo was rewarded 2010 Commendation from the Minister of Culture, Sports and Tourism, but didn’t attend the ceremony.[10]
In 2011, Seo acted alongside Kim Young-pil, Kim Joo-wan, and Jeon Mi-do in the play "The Author" by British playwright Tim Crouch. Director Kim Dong-hyeon, known for his skill in creating nuanced stage language, reinterpreted this powerful theatrical work and brought it to the stage. "The Author" serves as the inaugural production in the 'Borderline' series, curated by Doosan Art Center. The play breaks down the barriers between art and reality, blurring the lines between the stage and the audience. It explores the story within a story, delving into the impact that a violent and shocking play has on the actors, writers, and audience members involved.[11]
His first television appearance was minor role as Pastor in drama Prison Playbook (2017). After that he took mostly minor and supporting roles because his focus still in his theater works. In 2019 he appear in movie Lucky Chan-sil as cameo.
^Theatre Company Michu (Korean: 극단 미추; Hanja: 美醜) was founded in August 1986 by Son Jin-chaek. The theater company Michu originated with the 'Son Jinchaek Directing Lab', which established when CEO Son Jin-chaek was the representative of the Minye Theater. Michu continues to search for the identity of Korean theater that emphasizes spirit rather than form . Since 1987, Michu has performed Madangnori works every year. Madangnori refers to traditional Korean theater that combines various forms of folk entertainment, such as puppetry, mask dances and traditional percussion music.[3]
^It was said that he was nominated again in 2010 but refused to accept it
^"[문화포털 예술지식백과] 둥둥 낙랑둥" [[Culture Portal Art Knowledge Encyclopedia] Dung Dung Nak Rang Dung]. www.culture.go.kr (in Korean). Archived from the original on 2022-04-24. Retrieved 2022-04-24.
^"공연예술 (2001) 서울 아동청소년 공연예술축제 ; 사랑의 빛" [Performing Arts (2001) Seoul Children and Youth Performing Arts Festival ; Light of Love]. www.daarts.or.kr (in Korean). Retrieved 2024-04-04.
^"집" [Three Loves about Family - Home]. archive.ntck.or.kr. Retrieved 2022-04-24.
^Kim, Hyeong-joong (2017-05-08). "'사회 정의 vs 개인 욕망의 괴리' 담은 홍창수의 신작 '원무인텔', 14일까지 알과핵 소극장" [Hong Chang-soo's new work 'Wonmu Intel', which contains 'social justice vs. the gap between individual desires', is at Algwahaek Small Theater until the 14th]. art.chosun.com (in Korean). Retrieved 2024-05-17.
^Lee, Da-sun, ed. (2017-05-29). "(~06.11) 연극 '불량청년' [30스튜디오]" [(~06.11) The play 'Bad Youth' [30Studio]]. 아트인사이트 (in Korean). Retrieved 2024-05-17.
^Hong, Jong-sun (2022-03-03). "[홍종선의 결정적 장면㉒] 삶과 죽음의 경계에서 '메리 크리스마스, 엄마'" [[Hong Jong-sun's decisive scene22] 'Merry Christmas, Mom' at the boundary of life and death]. 데일리안 (in Korean). Retrieved 2024-05-17.
^Shin Young-eun (July 5, 2022). "두 교황' 신구·서인석·서상원·정동환·남명렬 캐스팅 공개" [The Two Popes' cast Shin Gu, Seo In-seok, Seo Sang-won, Jeong Dong-hwan, Nam Myeong-ryeol] (in Korean). Star Today. Retrieved July 5, 2022 – via Naver.