Veteran Theater Artist Kim Seong-ok Passes Away at 87... Son Suk's Husband's Death Announcement

Late Kim Sung-ok. Photo by Shinse Company

[Asia Economy Reporter Kim Heeyoon] Kim Seong-ok, a veteran actor and husband of actress Son Sook, and former representative of the theater troupe Sinhyeop, passed away on the 16th at the age of 87.

He was born in 1935 in Mokpo, Jeollanam-do, and graduated from Mokpo Middle and High School and Korea University with a degree in History.

He debuted in 1956 as a supporting actor in the Changgeuk play "Jeokbyeokga" and began his full-fledged acting career in 1960 with the play "Sueop." In 1963, he also started working as a director by directing the play "Hwarangdo."

After entering the film industry in 1966 with a minor role in the movie "Yeraishang" (夜來香), he was selected as a special talent by TBC Dongyang Broadcasting in 1968 and showcased various characters as a TV drama actor.

Having appeared in over 100 plays including "Manseon," "The Merchant of Venice," and "Waiting for Godot," he also acted in more than 300 works during his lifetime, including dramas such as "Im Kkeokjeong," "Taejo Wang Geon," "The King and the Queen," and films like "Living in the Sky," "Shipwreck," and "The Returned Dear." He received the Dong-A Theater Award for acting twice, in 1966 and 1973.

Late Kim Seong-ok, who appeared in the movie 'Living in the Sky'. Photo by kmdb

He was a founding member of the theater troupe "Sanwoollim," as well as the Drama Center and the National Theater, and served as the representative of the theater troupe "Sinhyeop." In 1999, he served as an invited professor in the Department of Theater and Film at Woosuk University, and in 2009, he worked as the artistic director of the Mokpo Municipal Theater Troupe in his hometown, dedicating himself to the development of local culture and arts.

Besides acting, he was also active as a businessman, serving as CEO of an electronics company and as the London branch manager of a construction company.

He is survived by his wife Son Sook, a fellow Korea University alumnus and theater artist who served as Minister of Environment under the Kim Dae-jung administration, and their daughters Nankyung, Yunkyung, and Sugyeong.

The funeral is being held at the VIP room on the 2nd floor of Bonghwang Funeral Culture Center in Mokpo, Jeollanam-do. The funeral procession will take place at 10:30 AM on the 20th.

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