Yi Sang-woo (born 1951), is a South Korean film director, screenwriter and actor. Lee earned his degree in the Department of Aesthetics from Seoul National University. In 1977, he played a significant role in the establishment of the theater company Yeonwoo Stage, and later in 1995, he founded the Chaimu Theater Company. Currently, he serves as the artistic director of Chaimu and holds a professorship at the Theater Department of Korea National University of Arts, where he has previously served as the Director.
Since 1978, Yi Sang-woo has directed a wide range of plays, including The Sculptor and the Detective, Unification Express, The Tale of a Thief, Pig Hunt, No Words, The Tale of Tail Cotton, Mae of Cape Jangsan, Chilsu and Mansu, and Balsam Flower Water. He has also worked on adaptations such as Changes, Korea Fantasy, and There, as well as directed translations of plays like The Pitmen Painters, Almost, Maine, Love, Love, Love, and The Cosmonaut's Last Message to the Woman He Once Loved in the Former Soviet Union. In addition to his theater work, he has written screenplays and directed films, including A Little Pond, among many other works.
Career
Theater troupe Yeonwoo
In 1977, three alumni of the Seoul National University theater club, Yi Sang-woo (class of '70), Jung Han-ryong (class of '64), and Kim Kwang-rim (class of '71), worked together at the same company, OriCom, after graduation. They decided to establish a theater company together and named it "Yeongwoo" (演友), which signifies "friends who love theater." The parents of the four founders were from Hamgyeong Province. Later on, dental surgeon Oh Jong-woo, Lee Young-hoon, the director of the Gyeongju National Museum, and Cho Woo-hyun, a professor at Inha University, joined the group. They were also alumni of the Seoul National University theater club.
In 1978, He made his directorial debut in play The Sculptor and the Detective. Since then, Yi Sang-woo has directed a wide range of plays, including The Tale of a Thief, Mae of Cape Jangsan, Chilsu and Mansu, and Balsam Flower Water.
In 1987, He served as director of play Chilsu and Mansu. He won Directing Award from The 23rd Dong-A Theater Awards and The 23rd Baeksang Arts Awards.
Theater troupe Chaimu
In 1995, the theater group Chaimu was founded by Yi Sang-woo, along with founding members including Kim Gwang-rim, Kim Seok-man, and Jung Han-ryong. The group features notable actors such as Moon Sung-keun, Yoo Oh-sung, and Song Kang-ho. The troupe's name, 'Chaimu,' signifies 'Dimensional Movement Stage.'
For their inaugural production, 'Playland,' the play was held from September 8 to October 8 at Hakjeon Blue Theater. It is based on Adol Hugard's altered worldview, aiming to resolve racial tensions between black and white races and heal the shattered human soul through genuine confessions between the two. Moon Sung-keun, who has been mostly active in movies and TV, takes on the role of Gide and returns to the theater stage after three years. Ryu Tae-ho, a young theater actor concurrently filming the movie 'Porn Man,' portrays the character Marty.
The strength of this group lies in the talented actors like Kang Shin-il, Lee Dae-yeon, Lee Sung-min, Choi Duk-moon, and Jeon Hye-jin, who have made their mark in various fields including film and drama, showcasing their solid acting skills. They also excel in creating stage adaptations that reflect reality in a delightful manner. As a result, they have received great love and have a wide repertoire that has sustained its popularity.
The five representative works of Chaimu that exemplify its distinctive features. Some of these works have been performed for 25 years since their premiere, yet they continue to resonate with audiences through their diverse narratives.
Film Director Debut
In 2009, Yi Sang-woo director debut film A Little Pond was released. It is a historical film that exposes the massacre of civilians in Nogeun-ri during the Korean War, where American soldiers killed South Koreans who were seeking refuge. Yi Sang-woo initially planned the project as a documentary but later changed it into a feature film due to insufficient investment. The film was completed after an extensive production period of 8 years, including 4 years of on-site research. Its most significant achievement lies in its realistic portrayal of the long-suppressed Nogeun-ri incident.