Ahn Hae-kyung makes play debut

Wearing a frilly peach pastel summer dress, television personality and presenter Ahn Hae-kyung was like a seasoned veteran in front of the photographer, knocking out one wistful pose after another without pause.

It was then off to the interview room for a chit chat about her debut role in a popular play that has been the proverbial toast of Daehagno - a cute little enclave in central Seoul where artists and college students hang out for some culture. The area is home to 100 theaters vying for the attention of drama aficionados.

"I play Jumi, a sort of clueless but bright and energetic girl - she and her new boyfriend, display their affection publicly through constant physical contact," she said.

"They`re the sort of cheesy couple you see in the streets from time to time."



"Chuncheon Geogi" or "A Place Called Chuncheon," written by Kim Han-gil, is about three couples who convene at a remote pension in Chuncheon region of Gangwon Province for a weekend getaway - or MT as they are called here in Korea.

Each of the three couple represents an archetype. Myeong-soo and Sun-young have an adulterous relationship, Young-min and Se-jin are two who cannot let go of each other`s past infidelities, and Eung-duk and Jumi - Ahn`s character - are what Koreans call a goose-bump couple for their tendency to publicly display their affection without remorse.

The play has had a phenomenal run since 2005 attracting an attendance of over 200,000.

It is seemingly inspired by Lawrence Kasdan`s 1983 film "The Big Chill," except the difference here is the couples are not at a friend`s funeral.

With her character in the play being more on the vivacious side, those who go to the play, which is set for another run beginning Sept. 11 until Nov. 22 at the Chungmuro Myeongbo Art Hall in Central Seoul, can expect to see a side of the actress they will be familiar with.

"It`s not a huge departure for me as far as my broadcast personality goes," she said.

"The difference, I suppose, will be my voice. People tell me I have two different voices - my voice on television and my voice when I`m not. When I`m on television sometimes my weathergirl personality and voice comes out without my knowing so that`s been somewhat of a hurdle. In the play, you`ll hear my real voice. The voice you hear now."

Ahn started her career in broadcast as a weather forecaster for MBC in 2001. Since then she has become a staple guest and presenter on several variety shows.

Her adeptness at improvisation and quick wit have made her a popular personality over the airwaves. And having established herself on television, Ahn wanted to branch out onto other things and it was her chance encounter with the script for the play that sparked her to pursue a role in it.

"The idea of being on stage in front of a live audience was intriguing. I had this romantic vision of being in a play with just the actors and the audience sharing personal moments through stage performance in a confined and intimate space," she said.

"This might be a really trite thing to say but this was fate, destiny, coincidence, all of that. The play that I`ve loved and always wanted to do came to me and I didn`t want to lose that opportunity so I took the chance," and added "I didn`t want to be just known as a television personality or Ha-ha`s girlfriend."

Much of Ahn`s notoriety also comes from her very public relationship with the popular comedian. Both have been vocal in expressing their love for one another on television, inviting millions of viewers into their private life.

So it was natural to ask when the two would tie the knot, but the svelte and bubbly 31-year-old played coy - diverting attention by name dropping another comedian with a very public romance.

"We`ll think about that once we send Hong-chul off to marriage."

She, of course, was referring to comedian Noh Hong-chul and his other half, "pop-trot" singer Jang Yoon-jeong who, like Ahn and Ha-ha, have become another high profile celebrity couple.

(kws@heraldm.com)



By Song Woong-ki