For stage actress Yoon Jin-sung, nothing can be either better or easier than to act on stage for an audience.

The first time the 43-year-old was under the lights was when she was in college. One of her friends talked her into joining the college theater group. At the time, Yoon was majoring in Korean language and literature, not in performing arts.


“At first, I never imagined I'd become an actress,” said Yoon. “The first time I performed on stage, with everyone's eyes focusing on me and my acting ability, I found myself enjoying all the attention and feeling excited about it.”

After graduation, she landed a job at a private tutoring company teaching high schoolers Korean language and literature. The young teacher, with her talents still hidden, however, soon realized that teaching was not her cup of tea.

She wasn't able to forget the excitement she felt on stage. She continued to study and at the age of 26, she was finally admitted to the Korea National University of Arts.

“I slowly realized that acting is what I do best, what I do with the most ease, and that it was what I loved,” she said. “At some point, I felt that acting to perfection must be more than just having ‘talent,’ and I decided to go to a prestigious university [the Korea National University of Arts].”

After she graduated in 2000, she started the TUIDA theater company together with five of her classmates. The troupe has put on many shows since then, including the 2001 productions of “A Midsummer Night’s Dream in a Box,” “A Story of Hareuk” in 2002, “A Sweet Story in a Big Book” in 2003 and “Hamlet Cantabile” in 2005. Yoon also earned a Minister Prize from the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism with the 2011 “1+1” show.

The actress has been living on Jeju Island since last year. She decided to cross the water and move to the island after she visited the province to see one of her friends who lives there. She instantly fell in love with the island's beautiful and vibrant nature.

She now dedicates her expertise and acting experience to teaching students in the Heungsan Elementary School theater group in Seogwipo.

“I am now juggling both teaching and acting,” said the actress. “Sharing my acting techniques with these young dreamers is as interesting as being on stage.”

Korea.net recently sat down with Yoon to hear more about her acting career.


- You have taken on many roles since 1999. What has been your favorite?

In 2005, I withdrew from the TUIDA theater company. Our 2005 “Hamlet Cantabile” show remains the most memorable for me, as it was the last show I did with the group.

Three of the members, including me, took turns playing all three roles: the main character Hamlet, King Claudius and Queen Gertrude.

Also, I will never forget my first performance with the troupe, “A Midsummer Night’s Dream in a Box.” I remember we started performing with no confirmed venue, no confirmed time. We just performed anywhere.

- When did the, "Yes, this is for me," moment occur?

After separating from those members, I had a one-year hiatus from the acting scene. I didn’t realize how important acting was for me, as my days were always hectic. During the hiatus, however, I realized that nothing was better and that I couldn't do anything other than acting. Of course, I was sometimes under a lot of stress while acting, but, in hindsight, it was worth it and it was worth enduring.

- Many say that being an actor or actress keeps you “hungry.”

[The TUIDA group] earned KRW 30,000 the first time we performed, when a man approached and watched us rehearse on the streets. After the rehearsal, he gave us the three bills, saying that we should go and get some warm noodles. It was a chilly day. We really did eat noodles with the money he gave us. I clearly remember that day. He was a real heart-warmer and, at the same time, the noodles made our stomachs feel warm, too.


- Despite such hungry times, you have never given up and have kept at it. What made you do so?

Fortunately, most shows I worked on came out well. Some of them were even staged outside of Korea. We were invited to perform in many countries, including Japan, China, Thailand, Singapore, the U.S., Ireland and Hong Kong. In 2003, we staged “A Sweet Story in a Big Book” in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, and most recently, in 2011, we flew to India to present another show, “Kkokdu.” Showing off everything I’ve got as an actress to global audiences always turns out to be interesting and rewarding, no matter how hard it may be.

- Is there any role you want to do for sure in the future?

I am currently working on a new set of plays to be performed in Itaewon in October. Having focused on stage acting until now, I’d like to turn to acting on screen. I’ve so far been engaged in three short films and just one full-length film. I’d like to do whatever role comes to me, just as a rookie does.


- What does “acting” mean to you?

If I had not gone into acting, I would never have begun to question my life. I would have just lived my life the way it was unfolding. Because I did choose to act, I kept questioning myself and seeking answers.

Acting poses to me questions, like, “How do I have to live?” or “What should I do now?” It has kept me going further in life, allowing me to not be stuck in limbo.

By Sohn JiAe
Korea.net Staff Writer
jiae5853@korea.kr