In “Crossing the Line Class,” Seol Min-seok delivered a passionate history lecture that captivated even musical actors.
On the 5th, the MBC entertainment program “Crossing the Line Class” featured Seol Min-seok, Jeon Hyun-moo, and Yoo Byung-jae collaborating with legendary musical actors Kim So-hyun, Son Jun-ho, Park Min-seong, Seo Young-joo, and Moon Jong-won to present a lecture and musical collaboration of a different dimension. The special extended broadcast of the lecture X musical “The Last Empress” moved viewers for 100 minutes.
As a hint for the lecture, keywords like “Korean Empire” and “aspiring actors” were introduced, along with a past photo of “20s Seol Min-seok,” who briefly studied in the theater and film department. The students waiting in the performance hall were from the musical “The Last Empress.” Seol Min-seok expressed his joy, saying, “This was the work that became a turning point for me to become a history teacher.” Kim So-hyun mentioned, “I have played the role of Empress Myeongseong 200 times. I have died 200 times,” revealing her desire to learn about the important events surrounding why the Empress was assassinated.
At that moment, Seol Min-seok's university professor and the artistic director of “The Last Empress,” Yoon Ho-jin, made a surprise appearance, shocking everyone. Director Yoon stated, “It was a brilliant move for Seol Min-seok to change his path to become a history lecturer. I opposed him becoming an actor,” and added, “He has a good voice and expresses well on the outside, but I couldn’t see the inner conflict,” which made Seol Min-seok sweat. When Jeon Hyun-moo praised Seol Min-seok for his acting skills, saying, “Isn’t it great for a lecturer?” Director Yoon acknowledged, “He is specialized more than anyone else,” which brought laughter.
Feeling dizzy from the professor's revelations, Seol Min-seok gathered his thoughts and began the lecture. The story unfolded about Heungseon Daewongun, who placed his son on the throne to satisfy his thirst for power; Gojong, who prepared to stand alone under such a father; and Empress Myeongseong, who exercised political power while supporting Gojong. Each time the story of their respective roles was mentioned, the actors empathized and sang, creating an intriguing overlap between the musical numbers and actual history. Seol Min-seok also delivered a fiery performance that surprised even the musical actors, enhancing the immersion.
When the unprecedented event of a nation's empress being assassinated, under the operation name “Fox Hunt,” was discussed, everyone could not hide their devastation. Seol Min-seok explained that it was not just a few rogues but the elite of Japan who committed the atrocity, recounting the horrors of that day. The Japanese, who did not know the face of Empress Myeongseong, invaded the king's chamber, threatening Gojong, his son Sunjong, and the court ladies, ultimately finding the Empress, trampling her, stabbing her, and burning her body.
In particular, Kim So-hyun, who played the role of Empress Myeongseong, was so heartbroken that she shed tears while reading actual records. Despite the brutal murder of a nation's empress, the perpetrators, who were repatriated to Japan, were all released without charges and became ministers and chaebols. Son Jun-ho, who played Gojong and is actually married to Kim So-hyun, added depth by reading records that reflected Gojong's feelings immediately after the Eulmi Incident. Seol Min-seok evaluated Gojong as an incompetent king but explained the circumstances that prevented him from gaining political experience, introducing a mixed assessment of Gojong's declaration of the Korean Empire and the modern reforms he pursued after the Empress's death to escape foreign interference.
Kim So-hyun, deeply moved by Seol Min-seok's lecture, remarked, “It’s our painful history. Because such a history existed, we are living on this land now. After listening to today’s lecture, I felt more deeply how important each line is and what kind of mindset I should have while acting, which made me emotional.”
Meanwhile, MBC’s “Crossing the Line Class” is a traveling history lecture program held in unexpected locations, airing every Wednesday at 9 PM. Applications for lectures can be made through the official website and Instagram of “Crossing the Line Class.”
[Kim So-yeon, Star Today Reporter]
