K-Drama Legend Lee Young-ae Makes a Comeback After 32 Years—in a Way No One Expected!

Renowned actress Lee Young-ae (54) is making a highly anticipated return to the stage after 32 years.

She is set to star in the LG Arts Center’s 25th Anniversary production of ‘Hedda Gabler’, which will open on May 7 at the LG Arts Center Seoul Signature Hall in Magok.

Originally premiered in Munich in 1891, ‘Hedda Gabler’ is one of the most celebrated works by Norwegian playwright Henrik Ibsen (1828–1906). A masterpiece of 19th-century theater and realist literature, the play delves into the psychological struggles of a woman yearning for freedom amid societal constraints and repression. Often referred to as the “female Hamlet”, it remains a powerful and timeless exploration of identity, autonomy, and defiance.

This production is based on the adaptation by Richard Eyre, which won the Laurence Olivier Award for Best Revival in 2006.

Lee Young-ae will portray Hedda Gabler, a woman who outwardly exudes elegance but harbors hidden anxieties, desires, and a destructive nature. Unlike Nora from Ibsen’s ‘A Doll’s House’, who fights to break free from societal norms, Hedda struggles within the confines of her own mind, making her a deeply layered and enigmatic character.

Lee Young-ae’s First Theater Role Since 1993

This marks Lee Young-ae’s first stage performance since 1993, when she starred in ‘Jjajang-myeon’ (written and directed by Kim Sang-soo) at the Seoul Arts Center’s Jayu Small Theater. Given her long hiatus from theater, excitement for her return is at an all-time high.

Another notable aspect of this production is that all actors will perform in every single show without alternating casts, ensuring a unique consistency in the performances.

The star-studded lineup includes Kim Jung-ho as George Tesman, Hedda’s husband, who is solely focused on academic success. Also Ji Hyun-joon as Judge Brack, who constantly applies psychological pressure on Hedda, Lee Seung-joo as Ejlert Lövborg, Hedda’s former lover who awakens her dormant desires, Baek Ji-won as Thea, a friend who stirs Hedda’s jealousy, Lee Jung-mi as Juliana Tesman, George’s traditional and morally upright aunt, and Jo Eo-jin as Berte, Hedda’s maid.

A Sharp Reflection of Modern Society

According to the LG Arts Center, director Jeon “intends to capture the complex psychology and anxieties of contemporary individuals through Hedda’s multifaceted character while using the surrounding figures to sharply portray recurring societal conflicts.”

With Lee Young-ae’s long-awaited return, an award-winning adaptation, and a talented ensemble, ‘Hedda Gabler’ is shaping up to be one of the most highly anticipated theater productions of the year.

Tickets go on sale on April 7 at 2 PM KST.