Veteran Korean Actors Challenge Smoking, Drinking Ban

Actor Park Geun-hyung and popera singer Kai will appear on MBN's talk show "Kim Ju-ha's Day & Night" to reveal their special connection related to the play "The Merchant of Venice."

Park Geun-hyung recalled his first experience playing Shylock during his time at Chung-Ang University's Department of Theater and Film, stating that returning to the stage in the same role after 67 years was "a stroke of luck from heaven." He also shared an anecdote about recommending theater performances to junior actors Kim Hye-soo and Jeon Do-yeon, specifically mentioning that he suggested the role of Portia in "The Merchant of Venice" to Jeon Do-yeon.

Kai revealed that sharing the stage with Park Geun-hyung in the same play was a long-held dream, and that his experience performing with Shin Goo and the late Lee Soon-jae remained a profound honor. He shared a touching anecdote, recalling the late Lee Soon-jae's determination to "​absolutely keep his promise to the audience" even as his health declined during his final performance.

Park Geun-hyung shared a behind-the-scenes story about vowing to quit drinking and smoking with Lee Soon-jae, Shin Goo, and Baek Il-sub before filming the variety show "Grandpas Over Flowers." He elicited laughter by recounting a recent incident where Shin Goo offered him alcohol at a company dinner.

Kai revealed that his stage name 'Kai' was created at the suggestion of world-renowned soprano Sumi Jo. He explained that Sumi Jo advised him that he needed a new name for his international career and personally created the name 'Kai' using the initials of his birth name, Gi-yeol. He also shared an anecdote confirming their connection by showing an autograph he received at Sumi Jo's recital in his childhood.