Play 'The Merchant of Venice' Opens, Actor Lee Sang-yoon

Lee Sang-yoon, a Physics Graduate from Seoul National University, Transforms into a Nobleman in Shakespeare's Classic

Actor Lee Sang-yoon is returning to the theater stage to meet his audience. Lee Sang-yoon has confirmed his appearance in the play 'The Merchant of Venice,' which opens on July 8 at the Haeoreum Grand Theater of the National Theater in Jangchung-dong, Seoul. This production is considered a masterpiece of Shakespearean comedy, with the story unfolding around the contrast between two worlds: 'Venice,' a city dominated by contracts, law, and money, and 'Belmont,' a space where love and romance coexist.

Lee Sang-yoon will play the role of 'Bassanio,' a nobleman heading to Belmont. Bassanio is a character who is willing to take risks to win love. Notably, Lee Sang-yoon will perform as a 'one-cast' in this production, playing the same role in every performance to show a consistent portrayal of the character.

With a background of graduating from the Department of Physics at Seoul National University, Lee Sang-yoon has garnered attention for his solid internal acting. Earlier this year, he portrayed the genius mathematician Alan Turing in the play 'The Turing Machine,' depicting solitude and deep contemplation. 'The Merchant of Venice' is another stage he presents this year following 'The Turing Machine.'

Questions Between Law and Mercy, Performing at the National Theater until August 9

'The Merchant of Venice' goes beyond a simple comedy to deeply explore the issues of law and mercy. While the play begins with the emotions of love and friendship, it gradually expands into the conflict between law and mercy, triggered by a single contract. Ultimately, it poses the heavy question to the audience: "To whom does justice belong?"

The performance runs from July 8 to August 9. The venue is the Haeoreum Grand Theater of the National Theater located in Jangchung-dong, Seoul. Audiences will witness an intense courtroom drama unfolding between the coldness of Venice, governed by contracts and law, and the romance of Belmont.

Through Bassanio, played by Lee Sang-yoon, viewers can see how the orders of the two worlds designed by Shakespeare collide and intersect. This stage is expected to be an opportunity for Lee Sang-yoon to prove a different side of himself—a nobleman struggling for love—distinct from the intellectual image he showed in his previous work.