Actress Kang Soo-yeon Laid to Rest Amid Farewell from Film Industry (Comprehensive)

Tears Flood the Farewell Ceremony, Film Industry Seniors and Juniors Embrace Loss in Mourning
Kim Dong-ho "Become a Star in Heaven and Watch Over Our Films"
Yeon Sang-ho "A Person Like Korean Cinema... Acting Is Ongoing"

'Star of Korean Cinema' actress Kang Soo-yeon passed away on the 11th, accompanied by farewells from film industry colleagues. The late Kang Soo-yeon Funeral Committee held a memorial service at 10 a.m. at Samsung Seoul Hospital Funeral Hall. She collapsed from a cerebral hemorrhage on the 5th and passed away on the 7th while receiving hospital treatment. She was 55 years old.

Colleagues who worked with her on film sets mourned the loss with heavy hearts. Kim Dong-ho, chairman of the Gangneung International Film Festival who co-led the Busan International Film Festival with her, choked up in his eulogy, saying, "I send you off with a heavy heart." He added, "It’s heartbreaking that you left less than a month after we met at Okhye-gyeong Dumpling House, where we often went... We lived like father and daughter, older brother and younger sister, so how could you leave before me?"

Chairman Kim tried to compose himself and carefully recalled her past. He comforted her by saying, "She wore the crown of 'World Star' at a young age and lived a hard life. She lived well until the end, protecting her honor and pride." He continued, "She was a tough, wise, and strong head of the family. Even in difficult times, she never showed it and devotedly cared for her parents and eldest brother, and also led her younger siblings well," expressing gratitude. He then asked, "Now, please watch over our films as a star in the heavens, not on earth."

Director Im Kwon-taek, who led the late actress to global stardom with films like Sibaji (1987) and Aje Aje Bara Aje (1989), could not hold back his sorrow. With a trembling voice, he said, "You were always by my side like a friend, daughter, and younger sister, so reassuring. Why are you in such a hurry to leave?" and tearfully added, "Rest in peace."

Actor Seol Kyung-gu, who acted with her in director Park Jong-won's film Song-eo (1999), expressed his grief in a eulogy: "I am so heartbroken and devastated that I don’t know what to say. This situation is too cruel." Pointing to her, he said, "She was a senior who taught me in detail when I had no film experience." He added, "She cared for even the youngest in harsh production environments, giving infinite courage and love. She was a giant who embraced both seniors and juniors. I miss the senior who must have been lonely because she was so confident."

Director Yeon Sang-ho, who directed the late actress’s final work Jung-E, recalled memories from 11 years ago. He said, "In 2011, at the Busan International Film Festival, my small work The King of Pigs won several awards, and she translated every word spoken by a Cannes Film Festival official who came to meet me." The King of Pigs was invited to the Directors' Fortnight at Cannes the following year. Director Yeon said, "I wondered why a Korean representative actress and star helped an independent animation director who was struggling with English." He added, "She did not fear the heavy burden as if she herself were Korean cinema."

He confessed, "Working with such a person felt like having someone supporting me from behind." He continued, "I have to go back to the post-production room and face the senior’s face again," and said, "Kang Soo-yeon’s acting is ongoing. Now, I will be the one supporting her from behind."

The late actress was a dominant figure in Korean cinema during the 1980s and 1990s. She debuted as a child actor at age four and appeared in about fifty films over fifty years. From her early twenties, she honed her acting with strong determination, building a unique expressive world. Her passionate performances were directly linked to the international leap of Korean cinema. She won the Best Actress award at the Venice Film Festival for her role as a surrogate mother living a tragic fate in director Im Kwon-taek’s Sibaji. This was the result of creating a contradictory yet complex image. She was the first Korean actor to hold trophies from the three major international film festivals (Cannes, Venice, Berlin), earning her the title of 'World Star.'

During this period, she was the busiest actress in Chungmuro. She was filming three to four movies simultaneously. In particular, in 1987, six films were released, including Prince Yeonsan, Potato, We Are Going to Geneva Now, Jo-hwa, and Mimi and Cheolsu’s Youth Sketch. She showcased a wide acting spectrum with different charms. Later, she achieved various accomplishments by breaking away from stereotypes through bold challenges. A representative achievement was winning the Best Actress award at the Moscow International Film Festival for Aje Aje Bara Aje. She shaved her head and portrayed a Mahayana Buddhist practice saving sentient beings from the secular world, receiving critical acclaim.

In the 1990s, she was a pillar of the 'Korean New Cinema.' She collaborated with directors Park Kwang-su, Jang Sun-woo, and Lee Hyun-seung on films such as Berlin Report (1991), The Road to Racetrack (1991), and Blue in You (1992). In 1991, she also appeared in the Taiwanese film Spring in the Summer (Naksanpoong). This was a remarkable challenge at a time when Korean actors rarely ventured overseas. She is also regarded as a pioneer of feminist-themed films, appearing in works like Go Alone Like a Rhinoceros Horn (1995) and Virgin’s Dinner (1998), leading social and cultural trends. Based on her early experience attending overseas film festivals, she also took on cultural administrative roles. Notably, from 2015 to 2017, she served as co-executive director of the Busan International Film Festival. This year, she filmed director Yeon Sang-ho’s new work Jung-E until January.

The late actress’s remains were cremated at Seoul Memorial Park on the same day and interred at Yongin Park.

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.