"Tears with a Smile"... 'Let Me Fly', a Beautiful Yet Sad Time Travel (Comprehensive)

Press conference held on the 13th... Performances until January 3rd"An ordinary yet ideal story"Actors Lee Hyeong-hoon, Kim Ji-hyun, Oh Eui-sik, Yoon Gong-ju, Lee Hee-jun, Bae Hae-sun, Ahn Jae-wook, Lee Soo-bin, Yoon So-ho, Hong Ji-hee, Ahn Ji-hwan, Park Seul-gi, and Yoon Jae-ho (from top left, clockwise) attended the press conference for the musical 'Let Me Fly' at the Yeonkeang Hall of Doosan Art Center in Jongno-gu, Seoul, on the 13th, sharing various stories. /Reporter Moon Chae-young[THE FACT | Reporter Moon Chae-young] 'Let Me Fly' returns for its third season. The work emphasizes the value of an ordinary today through the story of Nam-won, who suddenly encounters the future. Nam-won's efforts to return to the cherished past unfold brilliantly on stage.A press conference for the musical 'Let Me Fly' was held at 2 PM on the 13th at the Yeonkeang Hall of Doosan Art Center in Jongno-gu, Seoul. The event was attended by writer/lyricist Jo Min-hyung, director Lee Dae-woong, music director Min Hwan-ran, and actors Ahn Jae-wook, Lee Hee-jun, Oh Eui-sik, Lee Hyeong-hoon, Bae Hae-sun, Yoon Gong-ju, Kim Ji-hyun, Yoon So-ho, Ahn Ji-hwan, Yoon Jae-ho, Hong Ji-hee, Lee Soo-bin, and Park Seul-gi. After presenting parts of the performance, they answered questions from reporters and shared various stories.'Let Me Fly,' which opened on the 6th, is a creative musical that depicts the chaotic daily life of Nam-won, who becomes a 70-year-old grandfather due to the influence of radio waves on the night of 1969 when Apollo 11 was launched towards the moon, and embarks on a future exploration mission to return to the past.Following the Seoul performances in 2023, it toured 10 cities in Korea, as well as a replica license performance and an original team tour in Taiwan. It also participated in the 'K-Musical Roadshow' on Broadway in New York last year and was officially invited to the 'Festival of New Musicals' at the Village Theatre in the United States in August of this year.Lee Dae-woong, the director of 'Let Me Fly,' which returns for its third run after approximately three years, said, "It's a work that makes us realize that there is someone who remembers the many choices we've made throughout our lives," adding, "It tells the truth of the world. It signifies growth with the audience over time."Jo Min-hyung, who is in charge of writing and lyrics, explained, "I wanted to tell the story of a grandfather looking back on his life. It's a work that talks about longing, a beautiful yet sad emotion," and added, "It evokes emotion and sadness while also making us reflect on various moments. We aimed to convey universal emotions such as fun and touching moments."The musical 'Let Me Fly' will be performed at the Yeonkeang Hall of Doosan Art Center until January 3, 2027. /(Yoo) Let Me FlyAhn Jae-wook, Lee Hee-jun, Oh Eui-sik, and Lee Hyeong-hoon play the role of the elderly Nam-won, who struggles to return to 1969. The three actors expressed their honor in participating in 'Let Me Fly.' Oh Eui-sik, who has been involved since the production, said, "It's a precious work filled with sweat and tears," and added, "If I could only perform on one stage this year, I would naturally choose 'Let Me Fly'."Bae Hae-sun, Yoon Gong-ju, and Kim Ji-hyun play Sun-hee, the wife who watches over the elderly Nam-won, trapped in the past. The three actresses shared stories about their elderly makeup. Bae Hae-sun reflected, "I focused on the depth of life rather than age." Yoon Gong-ju explained, "I've always wanted to try playing a grandmother role," and added, "I feel no burden at all." Kim Ji-hyun also said, "The role of a grandmother feels more comfortable," calling it her "life character."Yoon Jae-ho, Yoon So-ho, and Ahn Ji-hwan have been cast as young Nam-won, who dreams of becoming the best designer in Korea. They expressed their feelings about joining 'Let Me Fly' and their excitement about working with seasoned seniors. Yoon Jae-ho said, "I thought about wanting to emulate the seniors." Ahn Ji-hwan also vowed, "I will dedicate my youth to passionately portraying Nam-won."Hong Ji-hee, Lee Soo-bin, and Park Seul-gi play Jeong-bun, young Nam-won's lover who dreamed of going to the moon. The three actresses shared their feelings while playing Jeong-bun. Park Seul-gi, a long-time fan of 'Let Me Fly,' emphasized, "It's an ordinary yet ideal story," and added, "There's a unique emotion that only theater can create. It signifies the choice of a life where two people faithfully love each other and live together until they become elderly."The musical 'Let Me Fly' tells the story of love, dreams, choices, and the preciousness of an ordinary today through a special time travel that spans 1969 and 2020. /(Yoo) Let Me FlyIn particular, this season of 'Let Me Fly' is drawing attention with its new cast combination. Ahn Jae-wook, Lee Hee-jun, and Bae Hae-sun are among the new additions. The performances of Yoon So-ho, Yoon Jae-ho, Lee Soo-bin, and Park Seul-gi, who won their roles after overcoming a competition rate of about 200:1 in the open auditions held in December last year, are highly anticipated.Ahn Jae-wook, who returns to musicals after about three years since 'Harlan County' in 2023, said, "I wanted to appear in this work because the story is beautiful," and added, "I felt a mix of smiles and tears, an emotion I haven't felt in a long time." Lee Hee-jun said, "I wanted to show my acting to my 8-year-old son, so I decided to participate," and added, "I don't have much musical experience, but I'm happy to play a good role."Yoon So-ho, Yoon Jae-ho, Lee Soo-bin, and Park Seul-gi are pouring more passion into their roles as they share the portrayal of a single character with their seniors. Yoon Jae-ho confessed, "I'm learning a lot by watching Ahn Jae-wook, Lee Hee-jun, Oh Eui-sik, and Lee Hyeong-hoon play the elderly Nam-won in the rehearsal room." Lee Soo-bin said, "I often rehearse lines with the seniors. At some point, the seniors seem young, and we seem old. That's the charm of our performance."Finally, Hong Ji-hee, who has consistently played Jeong-bun since the premiere of 'Let Me Fly,' pointed out the viewing highlights of the work. She said, "It's a work with many brilliant scenes," and added, "In the play, Jeong-bun tells Nam-won to 'fly away.' I hope our 'Let Me Fly' will soar. It's a great production completed by actors with warm hearts. We hope to meet many audience members until next year."The musical 'Let Me Fly' will be performed at the Yeonkeang Hall of Doosan Art Center until January 3, 2027.mcy21@tf.co.kr[Entertainment Desk | ssent@tf.co.kr]