SHINee's Minho returns as scientist with OCD in rom-com play ‘Rendezvous'
The SHINee member and actor takes on the role of Tae-seop, a rocket scientist with obsessive-compulsive disorder stemming from childhood trauma. His meticulously structured life is disrupted when he forms an unexpected bond with Ji-hee (played by Kim Ha-ri), the daughter of his go-to Chinese restaurant's owner. As their interactions deepen, Tae-seop gradually confronts his long-standing fears of change and isolation.
'The moment I read the script, I was completely captivated,' Choi said during a press conference on Tuesday. 'I remember ordering food while reading, and when it arrived, I was still so immersed in the script that I barely noticed."
Written and directed by South Korean director Kim Jung-han, who goes by the name Yossef K. Junghan, the two-person play's minimalist yet dynamic staging features a long runway reminiscent of a fashion show catwalk, complete with two moving treadmills. With no off-stage exits, Choi and Kim remain in full view for the entire 100-minute run time, creating an intimate theatrical experience.
'The production is both experimental and demanding, which makes it all the more exciting,' Choi said. 'I'd be lying if I said I wasn't nervous ahead of opening night, but I can't wait for audiences to see it and hear their reactions.'
The play premiered at LG Arts Center in 2024. The latest run stars three different actor pairings: Choi and Kim; Park Sung-woong and Lee Soo-kyung; and Park Geon-hyung and Beom Do-ha.
The latest staging features three different pairs of actors portraying the central relationship: Choi Minho and Kim Ha-ri; Park Sung-woong and Lee Soo-kyung; and Park Gun-hyung and Beom Do-ha.
'The same script can take on entirely different meanings depending on how an actor interprets and delivers the lines,' said Kim, a director and collaborator who has worked with the renowned Living Theatre in New York since 2009.
'This play isn't just a love story. It explores the universal themes of family, the search for belonging and the ways we fill the voids in our lives. The core emotions and motivations remain relatable across all age groups.'
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