A scene from Don't Forget Me. Provided to China Daily

His first drama, based on Lee's story, Emotional Ties to Mother River, had its stage premiere in Wuhan in September 1994.

When Zhao led her on stage to meet the audience, Lee said, "I am more than 70 years old. I do not want war, I want peace."

Zhao said, "I couldn't helping crying when I heard those words from the mouth of a former comfort woman victim."

With the help of South Korean students at Nanjing University, Lee returned to South Korea in 1995 and died several months later.

Zhao said that on several occasions when walking in Jiqingli, Lee's image would appear in his mind.

"I grew up at Jiqingli and knew the history of the region. I hope to use these real stories to remind people to never forget history," he said.

Don't Forget Me is not only the name of the drama but also the last words spoken by the heroine before her death. In the drama, Japanese soldiers rape the 5-month-pregnant heroine to death.

During Lee's five miserable years as a comfort woman, she was often forced to receive more than 20 Japanese soldiers a day, and they lined up outside the door.

In the drama, the heroine doesn't have clothes, so she wears a shabby quilt. Lee recalled she had only a small dress or a quilt to wear.

Zhao's drama has been critically acclaimed and has been translated into Korean. The drama will be presented in Beijing and South Korea later this year.

"The tragedy will be repeated if we forget history. So let's remember Lee and other comfort women victims and not forget them," Zhao said.

He Na in Beijing contributed to this story.

Contact the writers at liukun@chinadaily.com.cn