| Son Sook | |||||||||||
| Native Name Lang: | ko | ||||||||||
| Other Names: | Sohn Sook | ||||||||||
| Birth Date: | 13 May 1944 | ||||||||||
| Birth Place: | Gyeongsangnam-do, South Korea | ||||||||||
| Education: | Korea University Department of History (dropout) | ||||||||||
| Occupation: | Actress | ||||||||||
| Years Active: | 1963 to present | ||||||||||
| Agent: | Big Boss Entertainment | ||||||||||
| Family: | Yerin Ha (granddaughter) | ||||||||||
| Honours: | Eun-gwan Order of Cultural Merit (2012) | ||||||||||
| Module: |
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Son Sook (; Born on May 13, 1944, in Miryang, Gyeongsangnam-do) is a South Korean actress and former politician. In her first year at Korea University, she made her debut as the protagonist in the play "Samgakmoja," commemorating the 60th anniversary of the school's founding. In 1969, she became a founding member of the theater group Sanwoollim, and in 1971, she joined the National Theater, working with renowned directors of the time such as Lee Hae-rang.
Starting with MBC's "Women's Era" in 1989, she has been hosting radio broadcasts for over 20 years. In 1999, she served as the co-representative of the Environmental Movement Union and later became the Minister of Environment. In addition, she has been involved in volunteer activities in various social organizations, including serving as co-representative of "Beautiful Store" in 2002.
She has received the Baeksang Arts Award for Best Theater Actress three times for her performances in "Volcano" (1975), "Guest" (1979), and "Mother" (1999). She has also received awards such as the Korea Theater Festival Best Actress Award (1986), Lee Hae-rang Theater Award (1997), and the Eungwan Cultural Medal (2012). Her published works include "Living Together, Crying and Laughing," "People Son Sook Met," "Women's Notebook," and "The Island Village Boy, Former President Kim Dae-jung."
Soon was born in Dajuk-ri Jukseo Village, Sanoe-myeon, Miryang-gun (currently Jukseo Village, Dajuk-ri, Sanoe-myeon, Milyang-si, Gyeongsangnam-do).[1] In the year she entered elementary school in Miryang, the Korean War broke out on June 25. She and her classmates were expelled from school, which was converted into an army hospital. Consequently, they only had the entrance ceremony at the main school, and she had to study while constantly moving around. Memories still vividly remain of studying with a makeshift chalkboard placed on a pine tree by the riverside or on a stone in the field. During winter, she studied in a borrowed storage room. The arrival of American military trucks carrying relief supplies such as powdered milk and school materials in the midst of the war and poverty-stricken environment brought immense joy.[2]
Looking back, she considers her elementary school years spent in the countryside as a significant blessing, despite the harshness of the cold and hunger they experienced at that time. Additionally, witnessing the influx of war refugees allowed her to witness firsthand the grim realities of war. She attended middle school in Busan but, after just six months of enrolling at Busan Girls' Middle School, she was impulsively brought to Seoul by her mother.[2]
Son's mother had a tremendous passion for education. She got married at the age of 16, but his husband (Son's father) left for Japan to study and she had to take care of the household by herself. Believing that even her children should receive an education, she brought Son and her younger sibling to Seoul. When the Son family arrived in Seoul, they lived in Donam-dong, where they initially struggled to adapt to being treated as rural children.[2]
However, when Son entered Pungmoon Girls' High School, she began nurturing her dream of becoming a writer. She received several awards in writing competitions and even organized literary events called "Night of Literature" with students from nearby high schools, such as Hwang Seok-young and Jo Hae-il. She immersed herself in the works of French poets like Baudelaire and Paul Valéry. Discussing the works of famous domestic and international poets at a music hall in Jongno 2-ga was far more enjoyable than studying. She had a strong passion for becoming a writer, as evidenced by her multiple attempts to participate in the annual "New Spring Literary" competition hosted by a newspaper company.[2]
During her final year of high school, Son had a fateful encounter with Eugene O'Neill's play "Long Day's Journey Into Night" at Namsan Drama Center in Seoul. Directed by Teacher Haehyang and featuring renowned actors of that era like Hwang Jung-soon, Jang Min-ho, and Yeo Woon-gye, the performance deeply captivated her. This exhilarating experience in the world of theater had a profound impact on the trajectory of her life.[3]
In May 1963, while pursuing a History major at Korea University, Son's aspirations came true when she was selected to play the lead female role in the 60th anniversary commemorative play "The Three-Cornered Hat" by Spanish playwright Alarcón y Ariza. The male lead was portrayed by Kim Sung-ok, who was not only her senior in the university's drama club but also went on to become the artistic director of the Mokpo Municipal Theater. Their shared passion for the arts blossomed into a romantic relationship, and they tied the knot two years later.[2] [4]
In 1968, she joined the theater group Dongin Theater and started her career as a professional actress, taking on the role of Electra in Eugene O'Neill's play Mourning Becomes Electra.[5] She formed a lasting relationship with director Lim Young-woong, whom she regarded as a lifelong mentor, during her time at the Sanullim Theater, which was founded in 1969.[2]
Furthermore, two years later, she joined the National Theater Company and encountered Director Haehyang Sunsaeng, which brought new vitality to her life.[2] Reflecting on her theatrical journey, she said,
"I dedicated my youth to Sanullim and the National Theater Company." She mentioned unforgettable works such as "Dress the Woman," "Hong Dangmu," and "Silence of the Sea" from her time at Sanullim, and "Faust," "Love and Hate," and "Look Homeward, Angel" from her time at the National Theater Company. During my 15 years at the National Theater Company, I had the opportunity to meet excellent mentors and senior actors, and there were good aspects in my own way. However, there were also various limitations and constraints in the works. As time went on, I found myself increasingly at odds with this atmosphere, which led to conflicts. I became a fighter, so to speak."[2]In 1989, Son received a surprising call from a producer during a difficult period in her life. They met and Son was asked to read a letter. After reading a heartfelt letter, she was moved to tears and eventually became the host of radio show. was MBC radio show "Women's Era with Son Sook and Kim Seung-hyun." The success of the radio show "Women's Era" captivated the entire nation. The stories she read resonated with listeners across the country, addressing issues such as marital conflicts, financial struggles, and personal hardships. Son Sook's genuine empathy and her own experiences contributed to the show's immense popularity.
‘Son Sook’s Mother’ was first performed on stage at the Jeongdong Theater in 1998. This work, written and directed by Lee Yun-taek, received a warm response from audiences at the time. Inspired by the success, Jeongdong Theater Director Hong Sa-jong, Lee Yun-taek, and Son Sook at the time promised to make 'Son Sook's Mother' a regular repertoire at Jeongdong Theater for the next 20 years, but this did not materialize.[6]
In 1998, she served as a member of the Women's Special Committee and a non-standing director of the Arts Council. The following year, in 1999, she became a co-representative of the Environmental Movement Coalition. In May 1999, she held the position of the 6th Minister of Environment until June 1999.
Son Sook, who took on the role of Minister of Environment on May 24, 1999, found herself in a situation where she received $20,000 as a gesture of encouragement from the National Federation of Entrepreneurs following her performance at the Taganka National Theatre in Moscow, Russia on May 30 of the same year. Initially, Son Sook justified accepting the funds based on her identity as a theatre professional. However, after assuming the position of Minister of the Environment, concerns arose due to the significant amount of money provided by the corporate representative organization.[7] It is worth noting that regulations governing the conduct of public officials prohibit them from accepting more than 50,000 won for any purpose.[8]
According to Son Sook's account of the situation, she received a ministerial offer one week prior to the Russian performance. Since it was part of a preexisting international agreement, they decided to proceed with the performance. The experience on stage became a memorable one, with the audience passionately chanting "Mama" for 15 minutes and giving a standing ovation. In this emotionally charged moment, corporate individuals who joined them on stage unknowingly contributed the funds as a form of encouragement. The funds were then distributed among the members and used as a penalty fee for their inability to perform in regional shows. Unfortunately, this action was later accused of being a bribe. Subsequently, Son Sook resigned from her ministerial role and faced a deep sense of injustice, enduring sleepless nights filled with tears for a period of ten days.[1] [9] [10]
In November 1999, Son Sook took to the stage for the first time since resigning from her position as Minister of Environment in June of that year. Son appeared in the play "That Woman," directed by Lim Young-woong, which premiered at the Sanullim Small Theater in Seoul at 3 pm on the 16th. "That Woman" is a one-person play that presents a new stage adaptation of Simone de Beauvoir's "Woman in Desperate," portraying the despair of a woman who believes she has achieved success in life and love, only to discover her husband's infidelity. This performance was performed until January 23, 2000.[11]
In the year 2000, Son Sook graced the stage of the Towol Theater at the National Theater of Korea with the play "Mother," running from December 7 to the 31st. This production, written by Lee Youn-taek, marked its third staging, following its initial performance in 1996 and a subsequent one in 1999. Son Sook's return to the role of Mother after her previous performance in Moscow, along with the controversy surrounding the termination of the play 20-year long-term contract with Jeongdong Theater, generated considerable buzz for this particular performance.[12] [13]
"Theater is a live art form where actors and the audience breathe together. It is an extraordinary experience when actors and the audience meet each other's gaze and share the same breath. Moreover, unlike screens or TV dramas, theater often provides healing for the audience. Despite the challenging environment in theater, I love it and transcend all of that for the love of theater."[1]In 2004, Son Sook's Mother was performed in COEX Art Hall.[14] [15]
In 2007, after 15 years, Son and Park Jeong-ja, who had previously worked together in a production back in 1992, reunited for the play Agnes of God. This play revolves around the character of Agnes, a young nun, and explores the intense psychological conflicts and confrontations between the senior nun and the psychiatrist. Since its South Korean initial debut in 1983, play Agnes of God has enjoyed immense popularity, consistently selling out every performance.[16]
She took on the role of Chairperson of the Ethiopian Korean War Veterans Support Association.[17] [18]
In March 2006, she was appointed as a visiting professor in the Department of Theater and Film at Dankook University.[19] [20]
From April 2013 to May 2020, she served as the Director of the Mapo Cultural Foundation.[21]
Finally, from September 2018 to September 2021, she held the position of Director of the Arts Council.[22]
In 2002, she became a co-representative of the Beautiful Store. Beautiful Store cleans donated used goods such as used clothes, used home appliances, and used books and sells them at low prices. It is a place to sell at a reasonable price and use the proceeds to help the less fortunate. It was started with the opening of its first store in Anguk-dong, Jongno-gu, Seoul on October 18, 2002. In 2003, it sold recycled products provided by over 10,900 individual donors over the course of a year. With the proceeds, a total of 55 million won was provided to 52 organizations.[1]
'Son Sook Kim Seung Hyun's Letter Show' was attracting attention by hosting 'Radio Beautiful Shop' that helps neighbors in need through auctions of stars' cherished items.[23]
Son Sook and Kim Sung-ok, who first met in the drama club at university, tied the knot in 1965. Their love story flourished while they played the lead roles in "The Three-Cornered Hat." Kim Sung-ok, who later became the artistic director of the Mokpo Municipal Theater, shared Son's deep passion for the world of theater.[2] The couple has three daughters together.[1] [24] Her granddaughter is Australian actress Yerin Ha.[25] In December 2022, Son's husband, Kim Sung-ok, who was serving as the CEO of the theater company Shinhyup at the time, passed away at the age of 87.[26]
| Title | Role | Note | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| English | Korean | |||||
| 1990 | Just because you're a woman | 단지 그대가 여자라는 이유만으로 | Female lawyer | |||
| 1995 | Rehearsal | 리허설 | A | Cameo | ||
| 1995 | Afternoon of a Bitchy Day | 개같은 날의 오후 | Kim Kyung-sook | |||
| 2005 | Tale of Cinema | 극장전 | mother of the theatre mother | Cameo | ||
| 2006 | Gift from Summer | 여름이 준 선물 | ||||
| 2011 | Fighting Spirit | 투혼 | Noodle Restaurant Grandma | |||
| 2012 | Juri | 주리 | Woman | |||
| 2014 | Awaiting | 민우씨 오는 날 | Yeonhee | |||
| 2016 | Spirits' Homecoming | 귀향 | Yeongok (Younghee) | [27] | ||
| 2016 | Familyhood | 굿바이 싱글 | Drama Leading Middle-aged Actor | |||
| 2017 | I Can Speak | 아이 캔 스피크 | Moon Jeong-shim | Cameo | ||
| 2018 | Champion | 챔피언 | Mark's Mom | |||
| 2020 | Vocalist | 소리꾼 | Old woman | |||
| 2021 | Flower hand | 꽃손 | Okdan | |||
| 2022 | When Spring Comes | 봄날 |
| Title | Network | Role | Note | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| English | Korean | ||||||
| 1996 | One of a Pair | 짝 | MBC | Park Wol-rye | |||
| 2002 | Hyunjung, I Love You | 현정아 사랑해 | MBC | Son Jeong-im | |||
| 2002 | My Name is Princess | 내 이름은 공주 | MBC | Jeong Seon-hee | |||
| 2005 | TV Literature Centre - The House Where I Lived | TV 문학관 - 내가 살았던 집 | KBS | mother | |||
| 2007 | It's Good Though | 그래도 좋아 | MBC | Kwon Eun-shim | |||
| 2015 | Blood | 블러드 | KBS | Ansilvia | |||
| 2016 | Blow Breeze | 불어라 미풍아 | MBC | Sunok | |||
| 2018 | The Beauty Inside | 뷰티 인사이드 | JTBC | Daily Hansegae | |||
| 2018 | Room No. 9 | 나인룸 | tvN | Kim Mal-bun | |||
| 2018 | Suits | 슈츠 | KBS | Baejuja | Special appearance | ||
| 2018 | My Mister | 나의 아저씨 | tvN | Lee Bong-ae: Lee Ji-an's deaf grandmother | |||
| 2019 | Arthdal Chronicles | 아스달 연대기 | tvN | Asasakan | Special appearance | ||
| 2020 | KBS Drama Special | KBS 드라마 스페셜 | KBS | Geum Young-ran | |||
| 2020 | Birthcare Center | 산후조리원 | tvN | Kim Nam-rye | Special appearance | ||
| 2020 | When My Love Bloom | 화양연화 | tvN | Lee Kyung-ja | Special appearance | ||
| 2021 | 아이돌: 더 쿠데타 | JTBC | Oh Hyun-ji's grandmother | supporting actor |
| Title | Role | Notes | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| English | Korean | |||||
| 2022 | Glitch | 글리치 | Baek Yoon-sun | Netflix | ||
| The Glory | 더 글로리 | Grandmother | ||||
| 2022 | May It Please the Court | 변론을 시작하겠습니다]] | Noh Chung-hee's grandmother | Disney+ |
| Year | Title | Role | Notes | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1990–1999 | Women's Generation | Radio DJ | MBC 표준FM | [28] |
| 1999 | Son Sook's Beautiful World | SBS FM | ||
| 2005 | Son Sook, Kim Beom-soo's Beautiful World | [29] | ||
| 2005 | Kim Seung-hyun, Son Sook's letter show | [30] | ||
| 2008–2015 | Son Sook, to the country of happiness of Han Dae-soo | CBS 표준FM | ||
| Radio Novels (Take Care of Mom) | EBS FM | |||
| 2016 | EBS Reading Radio Reading Series |
| Title | Role | Theater | Date | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| English | Korean | ||||||
| 1994 | Guys and Dolls | 아가씨와 건달들 | Opera Theater of the Seoul Arts Center | January 21 to February | [31] |
| Title | Role | Theater | Date | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| English | Korean | ||||||
| 1964 | Mourning Becomes Electra | 상복을 입은 엘레크라 | Electra | [32] | |||
| 1969 | Dress The Girl | 그 여자에게 옷을 입혀라 | Han Seol-hee | National Theater Grand Theater | May 12 to 27 | [33] | |
| 1970 | R.U.R. (Russum's Universal Robots) | 인조인간 | Moon Jeong-sook | Myeongdong Arts Theatre | Nov 11 to 15 | [34] | |
| 1971 | Shilla Line | 신라인 | March 3 to 7 | [35] | |||
| Moon House | 달집 | Won-shik's wife | Sep 14–19 | [36] | |||
| 1972 | Fantasy Travel | 환상여행 | Sun Woo-ryeong | Feb 1–7 | [37] | ||
| Prisoners of War | 포로들 | gyeonghwa | May 16–22 | [38] | |||
| The Colorful Funeral Bier | 꽃상여 | Daughter-in-law | Nov 4–6 | [39] | |||
| Songhak-jung Pavilion | 송학정 | Yeong-ran | Dec 26–28 | [40] | |||
| 1973 | Admiral Yi Sun-sin | 성웅 이순신 | Sun-hwa | National Theater Grand Theater | October 17 to 28 | [41] | |
| 1974 | The Active Volcano | 활화산 | Kim Jeong-sook | National Theater Grand Theater | February 26 to March 6 | [42] | |
| Admiral Yi Sun-sin | 성웅 이순신 | Sun-hwa | April 27 to 28 | [43] | |||
| 1975 | Jingbirok | 징비록 | Lady Jang (Yu Seong-ryong's concubine) | National Theater Grand Theater | March 1 to 9 | [44] | |
| Wilhelm Tell | 빌헬름 텔 | Bertha | November 27 to December 1 | [45] | |||
| 1976 | Peer Gynt | 페르귄트 | Anitra | National Theater Grand Theatre | September 24 to 28 | [46] | |
| A Graveyard Looking Northward | 북향묘 | Young-bi | November 25 to 29 | [47] | |||
| 1977 | Chorip-dong (Boy with a Straw Hat) | 초립동 | Princess Wolsan | National Theater Grand Theatre | March 2 to 6 | [48] | |
| Sontag Hotel | 손탁호텔 | Hyun-joo | June 10 to 13 | [49] | |||
| Silence of the Sea | 바다의 침묵 | Catherine | Cecil Theater | May 6 to 13 | [50] | ||
| Faust | 파우스트 | Gretchen | National Theater Grand Theatre | June 29 to July 3 | [51] | ||
| Blush | 홍당무 | Hong Dang-mu | September 1 to 7 | [52] | |||
| 1978 | Forest of Massacre | 학살의 숲 | Lee Sook | National Theater Grand Theatre | November 24 to 28 | [53] | |
| Emile Bell | 에밀레종 | Jin-hee | March 1 to 5 | [54] | |||
| Look Homeward, Angel: a Story of the buried life | 천사여 고향을 보라 | Laura | National Theater Small Theatre | April 19 to 28 | [55] [56] | ||
| June 30 to July 3 | [57] | ||||||
| Splash | 물보라 | Nampodaeg | September 15 to 24 | [58] | |||
| November 8 to 12 | [59] | ||||||
| 1979 | Guest House | 객사 | Byeok Soon | National Theater Grand Theatre | February 28 to March 4 | [60] | |
| Becket | 베케트 | Gwendron | June 26 to July 2 | [61] | |||
| Adult at Puberty | 사추기 | Sook | December 12 to 18 | [62] | |||
| 1980 | Sansuyu | 산수유 | Aunt | National Theatre of Korea Grand Theatre | December 2 to 8 | [63] | |
| 1981 | Splash | 물보라 | Nampodaeg | National Theatre of Korea Grand Theatre | March 9 to 16 | [64] | |
| King Sejong the Great | 세종대왕 | Park Sang-gung | June 16 to 22 | [65] | |||
| October 6 to 9 | [66] | ||||||
| 1982 | Puss in Boots | 고양이 | Hintz | National Theatre of Korea Small Theatre | May 17 to 26 | [67] | |
| The Season of the North Wind | 삭풍의 계절 | Mister Woo | National Theatre of Korea Grand Theatre | Sep 30 to Oct 6 | [68] | ||
| Oct 23 to 26 | [69] | ||||||
| 1983 | Princess Paridogi | 바리더기 | A shaman, the person who leads the boat of paradise | National Theater Small Theatre | March 9 to April 1 | [70] | |
| The Third God | 제3의 신 | 롱 | June 15–July 8 | [71] | |||
| Naraesom | 나래섬 | 수례 | National Theater Grand Theatre | Oct 16–19 | [72] | ||
| A Public Woman | 공녀 아실 | Old woman | National Theater Small Theatre | Nov 17–Dec 2 | [73] | ||
| 1984 | A Burning Stream | 불타는 여울 | Jeong Soo-mi | National Theater Grand Theater | May 10–13 | [74] | |
| June 16–18 | [75] | ||||||
| Faust | 파우스트 | Gretchen | Oct 26–31 | [76] | |||
| 1985 | Shoo Shoo Once upon a Time | 옛날 옛적에 훠어이 훠이 | Wife | National Theater Small Theater | March 8–17 | [77] | |
| Tomorrow and Again Tomorrow | 내일 그리고 또 내일 | Hwa-sil | National Theater Grand Theater | Aug 17–23 | [78] | ||
| Dec 16–23 | [79] | ||||||
| 1986 | Life of Submission | 인종자의 손 | Eun-joo | National Theater Small Theater | March 7–13 | [80] | |
| Bi-ong Sa-ong | 비옹사옹 | Woman | National Theater Grand Theater | August 28–29 | [81] | ||
| September 23–27 | [82] | ||||||
| Uncle Vanya | 봐냐 아저씨 | Sonya | National Theater Small Theater | Dec 13–22 | [83] | ||
| 1987 | Heaven in a Dream | 꿈하늘 | Park Ja-hye | National Theatre of Korea Small Theatre | March 18–27 | [84] | |
| May 1–15 | [85] | ||||||
| The Wild Duck | 들오리 | Gina Exdal | June 21 to 25 | [86] | |||
| Heaven in a Dream | 꿈하늘 | Park Ja-hye | August 25–28 | [87] | |||
| The Wild Duck | 들오리 | Gina Exdal | October 4–11 | [88] | |||
| Sea of Silence | 침묵의 바다 | Eumjeonne | December 17 to 22 | [89] | |||
| 1988 | Taming the Shrew | 말괄량이 길들이기 | Woman | Seoul National University | April 23 | [90] | |
| Thunderstorm | 뇌우 | National Theater Grand Theater | Oct 16–25 | [91] | |||
| 1989 | Thunderstorm | 뇌우 | National Theater Grand Theater | Jan 25 | [92] | ||
| Splash | 물보라 | Nampodaeg | National Theater Small Theater | March 6–15 | [93] | ||
| Peace Under Heaven | 태평천하 | Seoul lady | National Theater Grand Theater | Aug 25–27 | [94] | ||
| Shoo Shoo Once upon a Time | 옛날 옛적에 훠어이 훠이 | Wife | National Theater Small Theater | Oct 13–18 | [95] | ||
| Intrigue and Love | 간교와 사랑 | Luise Miller | National Theater Grand Theater | Nov 25–30 | [96] | ||
| 1990 | The Misunderstanding | 오해 | Malta | Culture and Arts Center Grand Theater | May 30 to June 5 | [97] | |
| The House of Bernarda Alba | 베르나르다 알바의 집 | Bernarda Alba | National Theater Small Theater | April 5–19 | [98] | ||
| Intrigue and Love | 간교와 사랑 | Luise Miller | National Theater Grand Theater | Sep 21 to 25 | [99] | ||
| King Oedipus | 오이디프스 왕 | Jocasta | Dec 3–8 | [100] | |||
| 1991 | Seed of Soul | 넋씨 | Mother | National Theater Grand Theater | April 3–8 | [101] | |
| Revizor (The Inspector General) | 검찰관 | Blacksmith's Wife | Nov 6–12 | [102] | |||
| 1992 | The Wedding Day | 맹진사댁 경사 | Nurse | National Theatre Grand Theater | Feb 10–15 | [103] | |
| Agnes of God | 신의 아그네스 | dr. Martha Louise Livingston | Small Theater Sanwoolim Seoul | April 4–19 | [104] | ||
| Small Theater Sanwoolim Seoul | June 1 to August 3 to October 12 | [105] | |||||
| Measure for Measure | 법에는 법으로 | Yard Overdone | National Theatre Small Theater | Nov 12–25 | [106] [107] | ||
| 1993 | Agnes of God | 신의 아그네스 | dr. Martha Louise Livingston | Daegu Arts Center | Jan 30th-31st | [108] | |
| Busan Citizens Center | on February 6–7 | ||||||
| Daejeon Woosong Arts Center | Feb 13th-14th | ||||||
| Jeju Arts Center on the | Feb 20th-21st | ||||||
| 1994 | Shirley Valentine | 셜리 발렌타인 - 그 여자의 자리 | Shirley Valentine | Experimental theatre | June 21 | [109] | |
| 1995 | King Lear | 미친 리어왕 | Seoul Art Center | August 11 to September 14 | [110] | ||
| Woman in Crisis | 위기의 여자 | Woman | Small Theater Sanwoolim | Aug 17 to Sep 8 | [111] | ||
| 1998 | 'night, Mother | 연극열전2 여덟번째 작품: 잘자요, 엄마 | Thelma "Mama" Cates | Small Theater Sanwoolim | May 19 to June 26 | [112] | |
| Title | Role | Theater | Date | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| English | Korean | ||||||
| 1999 | Son Sook's Mother | 손숙의 어머니 | Mother | Jeongdong National Theater | February | ||
| Takanka Theater in Moscow | May 29–30 | [113] | |||||
| 1999–2000 | That Woman | 그여자 | Woman | Small Theater Sanwoolim | Nov 17–Jan 19 | [114] | |
| 2000 | Son Sook's Mother | 손숙의 어머니 | Mother | Seoul CJ Towol Theater | December 8–31 | [115] | |
| 2003–2004 | The Bridges of Madison County | 매디슨 카운티의 추억 | Francesca | Small Theater Sanwoolim | Dec 16 to Feb 1 | [116] | |
| 2004 | Son Sook's Mother | 손숙의 어머니 | Il-soon | COEX Art Hall | Sep 10–Oct 2 | [117] | |
| 2005 | Shirley Valentine | 셜리 발렌타인 | Shirley Valentine | Woorim Cheongdam Theatre | Aug 13–Sep 11 | [118] | |
| 2006 | Love, Smile | 사랑아 웃어라 | COEX art hall | Feb 9–Apr 9 | [119] | ||
| 2007 | Agnes of God | 신의 아그네스 | Dr. Martha Livingston | National Jeongdong Theatre Seoul | Jan 9–Feb 7 | [120] [121] | |
| Seongnam Art Center | March 2–4 | [122] | |||||
| Woman in Crisis | 위기의 여자 | Woman | [123] | ||||
| Road | 길 | Daehakro Arts Promotion Center Arts Theater | April 14–19 | [124] | |||
| Agnes of God | 신의 아그네 | Dr. Martha Livingston | Seoul Arts Center Jayu Small Theater | Dec 8–30 | [125] | ||
| 2008 | Aloes Wood | 침향 | Aesook (Jangsu's wife) | Arko Arts Theatre Grand Theatre | June 11–29 | [126] | |
| 2008–2009 | 'night, Mother | 연극열전2 여덟번째 작품: 잘자요, 엄마 | Thelma Cates | Wonder Space Square Theater | Aug 29 to January 4 | [127] [128] [129] | |
| 2009 | Son Sook's Mother | 손숙의 어머니 | Mother | Dongguk University Lee Hae-rang Theater | April 25 | [130] | |
| Long Day's Journey into Night | 밤으로의 긴 여로 | Mary | Myeongdong Arts Theatre | Sep 10–Nov 11 | [131] | ||
| Autumn Sonata | 가을소나타 | Mother | Daehakro Arts Theater | December 10 | [132] | ||
| 2010 | Wife's Outing | 아내들의 외출 | Lim Moon-kyung | Oriental Arts Theatre 1 (former. Art Centre K Nemo Theatre) | April 3–11 | [133] | |
| Please Look After Mom | 엄마를 부탁해 | Mom | National Museum of Korea theatre | Oct 30–Dec 31 | [134] | ||
| Driving Miss Daisy | 드라이빙 미스 데이지 | Myeongdong Arts Theater | August 20 to September 12 | [135] | |||
| 2011 | Please Look After Mom | 엄마를 부탁해 | Mom | Theater M of Sejong Center for the Performing Arts | January 28–March 6 | ||
| Cheongju Arts Centre | January 15–16 | ||||||
| Grand Performance Hall of Incheon Culture and Arts Centre | January 22–23 | ||||||
| Korean Sori Culture Centre Moakdang Jeonju | February 19–20 | ||||||
| Gunpo Culture and Arts Centre Suri Hall (Daegong Hall) | March 19 | ||||||
| Changwon Seongsan Art Hall Grand Theatre | March 12 | ||||||
| Daejeon Arts Centre Art Hall | March 5–6 | ||||||
| Seoul Arts Center CJ Towol Theater My mother in the play. | March 25–April 17 | ||||||
| Wife's Outing | 아내들의 외출 | Lim Moon-kyung | COEX art hall | April 1–17 | [136] | ||
| Please Look After Mom | 엄마를 부탁해 | Mom | Gwangju 5.18 Cultural Centre Democratic Hall | April 23 | |||
| Daegu Suseong Art Pia Paper Hall | May 5–8 | ||||||
| Busan Civic Center Grand Theater | May 7–8 | ||||||
| MBC Hall in Changwon, South Gyeongsang Province | May 14–15 | ||||||
| Wife's Outing | 아내들의 외출 | Lim Moon-kyung | Goyang Aram Nuri Sarasae Theatre | June 3–12 | [137] | ||
| Shirley Valentine | 셜리 발렌타인 | Shirley Valentine | Seoul Arts Centre Free Small Theatre | November 18–December 4 | |||
| 2012 | Wife's Outing | 아내들의 외출 | Lim Moon-kyung | Chungmu Art Hall Small Theater Blue | March 23–April 15 | [138] | |
| I Miss Your Parents' Faces | 니 부모 얼굴이 보고 싶다 | Lee Ye-rim's Grandma | Sejong Center for the Performing Arts M Theater | June 24–July 29 | [139] | ||
| My most favourite guinee | 나의 가장 나종 지니인 것 | Chungmu Art Centre Middle Theatre Black | Aug 24–Sep 23 | [140] | |||
| 2013 | Son Sook's Mother | 손숙의 어머니 | Il-soon | Daehakro Arts Theater | February 1–17 | ||
| My Ecstatic Disappearance | 나의 황홀한 실종기손숙, 연기 50주년 기념 | Yoon Geum-sook | Sanullim small Theater | Apr 12–May 12 | [141] | ||
| Son Sook's Mother | 손숙의 어머니 | Il-soon | Goyang Aram Nuri Sarasae Theater | May 23–26 | |||
| Hello My Butterfly | 안녕, 마이 버터플라이 | Theater Actress | Seoul Arts Centre Free Small Theater | July 5–28 | [142] | ||
| Son Sook's Mother | 손숙의 어머니 | Il-soon | Bupyeong Art Centre Haenuri Theatre | September 6–7 | |||
| With Father, I and Hong-mae | 아버지와 나와 홍매와 | Mother | White Bul Bul-Art Centre White Hall | September 10–October 6 | [143] | ||
| Son Sook's Mother | 손숙의 어머니 | Mother | Hanam Culture and Arts Centre Grand Theatre (Geumdan Hall) | Oct 5 | |||
| Busan Citizen's Centre Grand Theatre | Nov 2–3 | ||||||
| Pyeongtaek Nambu Culture and Arts Centre | Nov 23 | ||||||
| 2014 | Son Sook's Mother | 손숙의 어머니 | Mother | Suncheon Culture and Arts Centre Grand Theatre | Feb 7–8 | ||
| With Father, I and Hong-mae | 아버지와 나와 홍매와 | Mother | National Theater of Korea Daloreum Theater | March 2 to 30 | [144] | ||
| Son Sook's Mother | 손숙의 어머니 | Mother | Seongnam Art Centre Opera House | May 8–9 | |||
| Grand Performance Hall of Incheon Seo-gu Cultural Centre | May 24 | ||||||
| Please Look After Mom | 엄마를 부탁해 | Mother | Seoul Arts Center CJ Towol Theater | June 7–29 | [145] | ||
| Gimhae Culture Center Maru Hall | July 5–6 | [146] | |||||
| Autumn Sonata | 가을소나타 | Charlotte | Daehak-ro Arts Theatre Grand Theatre | Aug 22–Sep 6 | [147] | ||
| Hello My Butterfly | 안녕, 마이 버터플라이 | Theater Actress | Mapo Art Centre Art Hall Mac | September 19–20 | [148] | ||
| 2015 | Mother | 어머니 | Mother | Myeongdong Arts Theatre | Jan 31 to Feb 16 | [149] | |
| Snow in March | 3월의 눈 | Lee Soon | National Theater of Korea Daloreum Theater | March 13 to 29 | [150] | ||
| Cheonan Arts Center | April 3 to 5 | [151] | |||||
| Korea University Theater, 110th anniversary performance The Cherry Orchard | 고대극회, 개교 110주년 기념공연 '벚꽃동산' | Madame Lyubov Andreievna Ranevskaya | Sejong Center for the Performing Arts M Theater | August 25 to 30 | [152] | ||
| The 1st Monodrama Festival - Soon Sook | 제1회 모노드라마 페스티벌 - 손숙 | Soon Sook | Namhansanseong Art Hall Small Theatre | September 4 to 5 | [153] | ||
| Three Tall Women | 키 큰 세 여자 | B | Myeongdong Arts Theatre | Oct 3 to 25 | [154] | ||
| Soon Sook Woman | 손숙의 그여자 | Woman | Sanwoolim Small Theater | November 12 to December 6 | |||
| 2016 | With Father, I and Hong-mae | 아버지와 나와 홍매와 | Mother | National Theatre Daloreum Theatre | April 9 to 24 | [155] | |
| Hamlet | 햄릿 | Actor 2 | National Theater Haeoreum Theater | July 12–August 7 | [156] | ||
| Soon Sook Woman | 손숙의 그여자 | Woman | Myeongin Hall, Korea Sori Cultural Centre | August 19 | |||
| Mapo Art Centre Play Mac | August 28 | ||||||
| Busan Haeundae Cultural Centre Haeundae Hall (large performance hall) | August 31 | ||||||
| Love Song | 사랑별곡 | Sun-ja | Dongguk University Lee Haerang Arts Theater | September 4 | [157] | ||
| Incheon Culture & Arts Center Grand Hall | October 22 to 23 | ||||||
| Death of a Salesman | 세일즈맨의 죽음 | Asian Culture Center | December 3–4 | ||||
| Arko Arts Theater | December 13–22 | [158] | |||||
| Soon Sook Woman | 손숙의 그여자 | Woman | Gyeongnam Gyeongsangnam-do Culture and Arts Center Grand Performance Hall | November 4 | |||
| 2017 | Death of a Salesman | 세일즈맨의 죽음 | Daejeon Seoul Arts Centre Ensemble Hall | January 13–14 | [159] [160] | ||
| Uijeongbu Arts Centre Grand Theatre | February 10–12 | ||||||
| Suwon SK Atrium Grand Performance Hall | February 17–18 | ||||||
| Ulsan Culture and Arts Centre Small Performance Hall | February 24–25 | ||||||
| Gyeongju Arts | February 28–March 1 | ||||||
| Son Sook's mono drama | 손숙의 모노드라마<나의 가장 나종 지니인 것> | Asia Culture Center Theater 1 | May 27–28 | [161] | |||
| Story of three girls | 세 여자 이야기 | Myeongju Art Center | June 3–8 | [162] | |||
| Love Song | 사랑별곡 | Sun-ja | Boseong-gun | September 7 | |||
| Changnyeong-gun Culture and Arts Center | September 9 | [163] | |||||
| Eumseong Culture | September 15 | ||||||
| Jangsu Sanghoe | 장수상회 | Im Geum-nim | National Theater of Korea Daloreum Theater | September 15 to October 8 | [164] | ||
| Love Song | 사랑별곡 | Sun-ja | Gwangju Namhansanseong Art Hall Grand Theatre | September 17 | |||
| Love Song | 사랑별곡 | Sun-ja | Gwangju Grand Performance Hall of Yeoncheon Sureul Art Hall | September 23 | |||
| (2017) SPAF Seoul International Performing Arts Festival: White Rabbit Red Rabbit | (2017) SPAF 서울국제공연예술제: 하얀 토끼 빨간 토끼 <이호재> | herself | Arko Arts Theater small theater | September 24 | [165] | ||
| Son Sook Plays About Life - Uijeongbu | 손숙 연극 인생을 이야기하다 - 의정부해피토크콘서트 | Uijeongbu Arts Centre Grand Theatre | September 27 | [166] | |||
| Love Song | 사랑별곡 | Sun-ja | Iksan Arts Centre Grand Performance Centre | October 13–14 | |||
| 2018 | Snow in March | 3월의 눈 | Lee Soon | Myeongdong Arts Theatre | Feb 7 to March 11 | [167] | |
| Jangsu Sanghoe | 장수상회 | Im Geum-nim | Asan City Lifelong Learning Center | June 26 | [168] | ||
| Incheon Namdong Sorae Art Hall | August 18 | [169] | |||||
| Daehangno Uniplex 1 | September 7 to October 9 | ||||||
| Love Song | 사랑별곡 | Sun-ja | Gimpo Art Hall | October 13 | |||
| Jung-gu Cultural Center Incheon | October 26–27 | ||||||
| Inje Haneulnaerin Center Grand Hall | November 11 | [170] | |||||
| Jangsu Sanghoe | 장수상회 | Iksan Arts Center Grand Hall | November 24 to 25 | ||||
| Cheongju Arts Center Grand Hall | December 1 to 2 | ||||||
| Daegu EXCO Auditorium | December 15 to 16 | ||||||
| Suwon SK Atrium Grand Performance Hall | December 21 to 22 | ||||||
| Jangsu Sanghoe | 장수상회 | Im Geum-nim | Gwangju Culture | December 28 to 29 | |||
| 2018–2019 | I Love You | 사랑해요, 당신 | Pretty Song | Daehangno Art One Theater 1 | Dec 6 to Feb 10 | [171] | |
| 2019 | Jangsu Sanghoe | 장수상회 | Im-geum-nim | Suncheon Culture | January 26 | ||
| 3.15 Art Centre Grand Theatre | February 9–10 | ||||||
| I Love You | 사랑해요, 당신 | Pretty Song | Ulsan Culture and Arts Centre Small Performance Hall | February 16–17 | |||
| Jangsu Sanghoe | 장수상회 | Im-geum-nim | Grand Performance Hall of Cheonan Arts Centre | February 23–24 | |||
| Jangsu Sanghoe | 장수상회 | Im Geum-nim | Bupyeong Art Centre Haenuri Theatre | March 16 to 17 | |||
| Wonju University, Gangneung Haeram Cultural Centre | March 9 to 10 | ||||||
| Goyang Eoullim Nuri Oullim Theatre | March 30 to 31 | ||||||
| Grand performance hall of Gyeongju Arts Centre | April 12 to 13 | ||||||
| I Love You | 사랑해요, 당신 | Pretty Song | Gyeongsan Citizens' Center | April 14 | [172] | ||
| Jangsu Sanghoe | 장수상회 | Im Geum-nim | Sejong Culture and Arts Centre | April 18 | |||
| Anseong-dul Art Hall Grand Performance Hall | May 3 to 4 | ||||||
| Gumi City Culture and Arts Centre Grand Performance Hall | May 17 to 18 | ||||||
| Gangdong Art Centre Grand Theatre Han River | May 25 to 26 | ||||||
| I Love You | 사랑해요, 당신 | Pretty Song | Andong Culture and Arts Centre Ungbu Hall | June 1 | |||
| Jangsu Sanghoe | 장수상회 | Im Geum-nim | Busan Cultural Center Central Theater | July 5 to 6 | |||
| I love you - Miryang | 그대를 사랑합니다 - 밀양 | Pretty Song | Miryang Arirang Art Centre Grand Theatre | August 6 | |||
| Jangsu Sanghoe | 장수상회 | Im Geum-nim | Gwanglim Art Centre Jangcheon Hall | August 30–September 22 | |||
| Geumn Narae Art Hall | November 1–2 | ||||||
| Jangsu Sanghoe | 장수상회 | Im Geum-nim | Gyeonggi Art Centre Grand Theatre | November 30–December 1 | |||
| Suseong Artpia Paper Hall | December 14 | ||||||
| Gyeongnam Culture and Arts Centre | December 21 to 22 | ||||||
| 2019–2020 | I Love You | 그대를 사랑합니다 | Pretty Song | SKON1, Seogyeong University Performing Arts Centre | Nov 22–Feb 2 | [173] | |
| 2020 | Jangsu Sanghoe | 장수상회 | Im Geum-nim | Seongnam Art Centre Opera House | January 18–19 | ||
| Grand performance hall of Gyeongnam Culture and Arts Centre | January 21–22 | ||||||
| Gyeonggi-do Gwangjumun Arts Centre | February 1–2 | ||||||
| With my father and me, Hongmae | 아버지와 나와 홍매와 | Mother | S Theatre, Sejong Centre for the Performing Arts | February 14–29 | [174] | ||
| Jangsu Sanghoe | 장수상회 | Im Geum-nim | Ulsan Culture and Arts Centre | June 7 | |||
| 2021 | The 5th anniversary of the Jangsu Sangho | 연극 장수상회 5주년 특별공연 | Im Geum-nim | Seoul Arts Center CJ Towol Theater | March 19–Apr 11 | [175] | |
| Jangsu Sangho | 장수상회 | Im Geum-nim | Gimcheon | August 4 to 5 | |||
| Jangsu Sangho | 장수상회 | Im Geum-nim | Yangcheon Cultural Centre Grand Theatre | September 21 to 22 | |||
| Hanam Culture and | September 25 to 26 | ||||||
| Centum City Sohyang Theater Shinhan Card Hall | October 2 to 3 | ||||||
| GS Caltex Yeulmaru | October 9 | ||||||
| Chonbuk National | October 16 | ||||||
| Water Station | 물의 정거장 | Daehak-ro Arts Theatre Small Theatre | October 21–24 | [176] | |||
| Jangsu Sangho | 장수상회 | Im Geum-nim | Ulsan Culture | October 23 | |||
| Bucheon Civic Centre Grand Performance Hall | Nov 27–28 | ||||||
| Yeungnam University | December 25 | ||||||
| 2022 | Jangsu Sangho | 장수상회 | Im Geum-nim | Nowon Culture and Arts Centre Grand Performance Hall | February 19 | ||
| Merry Christmas, Mom | 제6회 늘푸른연극제 메리크리스마스 엄마 | Mother | JTN Art Hall | February 24 to 27 | [177] | ||
| Jangsu Sangho | 장수상회 | Im Geum-nim | Grand Performance Hall of Dangjin Arts Centre | April 23–24 | [178] | ||
| Ansan Culture and Arts Center | May 7–8 | ||||||
| Jeju Art Center | May 14 | ||||||
| Suwon SK Atrium Grand Performance Hall | May 27–29 | ||||||
| Cheonan City Hall Bongseo Hall | June 10–11 | [179] | |||||
| Hamlet | 햄릿 | Actor 2 | National Theater Haeoreum Theater | July 13–August 13 | [180] [181] | ||
| Jangsu Sangho | 장수상회 | Im Geum-nim | Yongsan Art Hall Grand Theatre Mir | Sep 17-18 | |||
| 2023 | Tocatta | 토카타 | Female | LG Arts Center Seoul U+ Stage | August 19–September 10 | [182] |
| Award ceremony | Category | Nominee / Work | Result | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1972 | 8th Baeksang Arts Awards | Reader Popularity Award | Soon Sook | [184] | ||
| 1975 | 11th Baeksang Arts Awards | Best Actress Award in Theatre | Active Volcano | [185] [186] | ||
| 1977 | 13th Baeksang Arts Awards | Hong Dang-moo | [187] | |||
| 1979 | 15th Baeksang Arts Awards | Guest | [188] | |||
| 1983 | 19th Baeksang Arts Awards | Puss in Boots | [189] | |||
| 1986 | Korean Theatre Festival | Best Actress Award in Theatre | Soon Sook | |||
| 1990 | 11th Blue Dragon Film Awards | Best Supporting Actress Award | Just Because You Are a Woman | |||
| 1991 | Hankook Ilbo Theater and Film Awards | Best Actress Award | Soon Sook | |||
| 1993 | MBC Drama Awards | Radio Grand Prize | Women's Age | |||
| 1996 | Korean Literary Association | Best Literary Award — Theatre and Film | Soon Sook | |||
| 1997 | Baekjo Award | Best Dressed | ||||
| 1997 | 7th Lee Hae-rang Theater Award | Main Award | [190] | |||
| 1998 | Korean Theatre Actors Association | Actress of the Year Award | ||||
| 1999 | 35th Baeksang Arts Awards | Best Actress Award in Theatre | Mother | [191] | ||
| 2013 | 3rd Beautiful Artist Award | Best Actress Award in Theatre | Soon Sook | [192] [193] | ||
| 2020 | 2020 KBS Drama Awards | One-act Play Award | Drama Special Women's Streak | [194] |
| Award Ceremony | Year | Honor | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| South Korea | The Ministry of Culture and Sports Award Ceremony | 1998 | Presidential Commendation | [195] |
| Korean Popular Culture and Arts Awards | 2012 | Eungwan Order of Cultural Merit (2nd Class) | [196] |
| Year | Listicle | Placement | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Asia Today | 2013 | Actors in their 60s and 70s who dominate the theater stage | [197] | ||
| Book & People | 2015 | Who is an actor | [198] | ||
| Korean Theater | 2019 | 34 Leading Korean Theater Artist | [199] |