Son Sook (Korean: 손숙; born May 13, 1944) 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."
Early life
Son 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]
Career
Career in Dongin Theater, Sanullim Theater and National Theater
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.[4]
'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]
Brief political career
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.[4]
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][4] 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][4][9][10]
Back to theater
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]
Other activities
She took on the role of Chairperson of the Ethiopian Korean War Veterans Support Association.[17][18]
In March 2006, she was appointed 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]
Philanthropy
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 District, 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]
Personal life
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]
In 1995, KBS 1TV's "Human Theatre" aired "Actor's Notebook" about Son Sook's diary, and actor Heo Yoon-jung's main characters Son Sook and Park Seung-ho appeared as Son Sook's husband Kim Seong-ok.[204]
Notes
^Tied with Ahn Eun-suk, Baek Sung-hee, Lee Soon-jae, Oh Hyeon-kyung.
^Jeong Jin-soo, a theater director and former professor at Sungkyunkwan University and the head of the People's Theater Company, says about those who represent Korean theater. Representative Jeong collects the lives of 34 leading Korean theater artists and publishes 'The Life of a Theater Artist - A Biography of Korea's Representative Theater Artists.' The book is a compilation of interviews with 34 theater artists from the content serialized by the author in the magazine 'Korean Theater'.
^손 환경, 러시아공연차 26일 출국 [Minister of Environment Son leaves for a performance in Russia on the 26th]. daarts.or.kr (in Korean).
^Lim, Hyung-doo (1999-11-18). <인터뷰> 「그 여자」로 돌아온 손숙씨 [<Interview> Son Sook who returned to "The Woman"]. Naver News (in Korean). Retrieved 2023-09-09.
^공연도 보고 여행도 하고...연말 패키지공연 성행 [I watch performances and travel... The success of the year-end package performance]. Naver News (in Korean). Retrieved 2023-09-09.
^매디슨 카운티의 추억 [The Bridges of Madison County]. daarts.or.kr (in Korean).
^연극 [Drama]. Naver News (in Korean). Retrieved 2023-09-09.
^Kang, Jong-hoon (2009-12-02). 무대 위 계속되는 '엄마 열풍' [Continuing on stage 'Mom craze']. Naver News (in Korean). Retrieved 2023-08-22.
^Kang, Jong-hoon. 마음의 병을 앓는 여자들의 이야기 [The story of women who suffer from mental illness]. Naver News (in Korean). Retrieved 2023-09-09.
^Shin, Yu-ri. 찬바람 부는 가을..따스한 가족극 잇따라 컴백 [Autumn with a cold wind.. A warm family drama makes a comeback one after another]. Naver News (in Korean). Retrieved 2023-09-09.
^드라이빙 미스 데이지 [Driving Miss Daisy]. DA-Arts (in Korean). Archived from the original on 2023-07-20. Retrieved 2023-02-08.
^[포토] 여자들의 지친 마음을 돌아볼때 '아내들의 외출' [[Photo] When I look back on the tired hearts of women, 'Woman's going out']. Segye Ilbo (in Korean). 2012-03-23. Retrieved 2023-09-09.
^박완서 '나의 가장 나종 지니인 것', 18년만에 연극 무대로 [Park Wan-seo's 'My Most Najong Genie', the first theatre stage in 18 years]. 독서신문 (in Korean). 2012-08-08. Retrieved 2023-09-09.
^Yang-soo, Kim (2013-07-05). 손숙, 50년 연기인생 연극으로 풀어내...'안녕, 마이 버터플라이' [Son Sook, unravel it with a 50-year acting life play...'Hello, My Butterfly']. 아이뉴스24 (in Korean). Retrieved 2023-09-09.
^'꽃할배' 신구, 연극무대 선다 '아버지와 나와 홍매와' ['Flower Grandpae' Shingu, standing on the theatre stage 'Father and me and Hongmae']. 아이뉴스24 (in Korean). 2013-07-25. Archived from the original on 2023-07-21. Retrieved 2023-07-21.
^화제작 '아버지와 나와 홍매와' 오는 3월 앵콜 공연 [The hot topic 'Father, Me and Hongmae' will be an encore performance in March]. NewsPim (in Korean). Archived from the original on 2023-07-21. Retrieved 2023-07-21.
^손숙·전무송 연극 '엄마를 부탁해', 22일 티켓 오픈 [Son Sook and Jeon Moo-song's play 'Take Care of Mom', tickets open on the 22nd]. 스포츠동아 (in Korean). 2014-04-21. Retrieved 2023-07-25.
^김해에서도 부디 '엄마를 부탁해' [Please also in Gimhae 'Favour mom']. 김해뉴스 (in Korean). 2014-06-25. Retrieved 2023-07-25.
^Lee, Yoon-jung (2014-07-20). 5년 만에 돌아온 '가을소나타'...손숙·서은경 연기 대결 ['Fal Sonata' is back after 5 years... Son Sook and Seo Eun-kyung's acting showdown]. Naver News (in Korean). Retrieved 2023-09-09.
^서울 마포구, 연극인 손숙 '안녕 마이버터플라이' 공연 [Performance of 'Hello My Butterfly' by Son Sook, a theatre person in Mapo District, Seoul]. ilyo.co.kr (in Korean). 2014-09-15. Retrieved 2023-09-09.
^키 큰 세 여자 [Three Tall Women]. archive.ntck.or.kr. Retrieved 2023-08-26.
^노부부로 가족의 사랑 보여줄 신구-손숙...연극 '아버지와 나와 홍매와' [New and New Year to show the love of the family as an old couple... Theatre 'Father and Me and Hongmae']. 뉴스컬처 (NEWSCULTURE) (in Korean). 2016-03-24. Retrieved 2023-09-09.
^이순재·손숙의 첫 부부 호흡 연극 '사랑별곡', 누구에게나 '첫사랑'은 애틋하다! [Lee Soon-jae and Son-sook's first couple breathing play 'Love Byeolgok', 'First Love' is affectionate to everyone!]. 100세시대의 동반자 브릿지경제 (in Korean). 2016-07-26. Retrieved 2023-07-22.
^이순재, 연기인생 60년 '세일즈맨의 죽음' 5개 도시 간다 [Lee Soon-jae goes to 5 cities for 'Salesman's 'Death' after 60 years of acting life]. Newdaily [ko] (in Korean). 2016-12-09. Retrieved 2023-07-22.
^"[TV특종] 연기인생 60년 이순재, '세일즈맨의 죽음'" [[TV Special] 60 Years of Acting Life Lee Soon-jae, 'The Death of the Salesman']. entertain.naver.com (in Korean). Retrieved 2023-07-22.
^배, 동민. 문화전당서 손숙 모노드라마·박정자 낭독콘서트 [Son Sook's mono-drama and Park Jung-ja reading concert at the Cultural Centre]. Naver News (in Korean). Retrieved 2023-09-09.
^배우 박정자·손숙·윤석화 강릉서 뭉친다 [Actors Park Jung-ja, Son-sook, and Yoon Seok-hwa are united in Gangneung.]. 강원도민일보 (in Korean). 2017-05-23. Retrieved 2023-09-09.
^[창녕소식]낙동강 백일홍 보러오세요 등 [[Changnyeong News] Come and see Nakdong River Baek Il-hong, etc.]. Newsis (in Korean). 2017-08-29. Retrieved 2023-07-22.
^명품 배우 신구·손숙·김지숙, 연극 '장수상회' 출연 확정 [Luxury actors Shin Gu, Son Sook, and Kim Ji-sook confirmed to appear in the play 'The Jangsu Sanghoe']. Naver News (in Korean). Retrieved 2023-09-09.
^3월의 눈 [Snow in March]. archive.ntck.or.kr. Retrieved 2023-08-26.
^"아산시평생학습관 29일 명품배우 신구·손숙 연극 '장수상회' 공연" [On the 29th, Asan City Lifelong Learning Centre, a performance of luxury actors Shingu and Son Sook's play 'Jangsu Sanghoe']. 금강일보 (in Korean). 2018-06-07. Retrieved 2023-09-09.
^"인천 남동구도시관리공단서 8월 '연극 장수상회' 개최" ['Theatre Jangsu Sanghoe' will be held in August at the Namdong-gu Urban Management Corporation in Incheon]. 매일일보 (in Korean). 2018-07-16. Retrieved 2023-09-09.
^[인제] 가슴 뭉클한 순애보 '사랑별곡', 인제 공연 [[Inje] Heart-wrenching pure love 'Love Star Song', Inje performance]. www.cnbnews.com (in Korean). Retrieved 2023-08-22.
^이순재X손숙 '그대를 사랑합니다' 2주 더 본다, 연장 공연 확정 [Lee Soon-jae X Son Sook 'I love you' 2 more weeks, confirmed the extended performance]. 뉴스컬처 (NEWSCULTURE) (in Korean). 2019-01-07. Retrieved 2023-09-09.
^이순재·손숙 연극 '그대를 사랑합니다' 경산 공연 [Lee Soon-jae and Son-sook's play 'I love you' Gyeongsan performance]. Kyongbuk Ilbo [ko] - 굿데이 굿뉴스 (in Korean). 2019-04-11. Retrieved 2023-09-09.
^이순재·박인환·손숙·정영숙 '그대를 사랑합니다', 11월 22일 개막 [Lee Soon-jae, Park In-hwan, Son Sook, Jung Young-sook 'I Love You', Opening on November 22nd]. 뉴스컬처 (NEWSCULTURE) (in Korean). 2019-11-21. Retrieved 2023-09-09.
^'아버지와 나와 홍매와' 상견례 현장...신구·손숙 두 거장의 만남 [The scene of the meeting between 'Father, Me and Hongmae'... The meeting between the two masters of Shingu and Son-sook]. No Cut News. 2020-01-06. Retrieved 2023-09-09.
^극단 무천, 연극 '물의 정거장' 재공연...박정자·손숙 특별출연 [The theatre company Mucheon re-enacts the play 'Water Station'... Park Jung-ja and Son Sook's special appearance]. Edaily [ko] (in Korean). 2021-10-08. Retrieved 2023-09-09.
^'늘푸른연극제' 마무리 지을 '건널목 삽화' '메리크리스마스, 엄마!' ['Mestle crossing illustration' to finish 'Nul Blue Theatre Festival' 'Merry Christmas, Mom!']. 뉴스컬처 (NEWSCULTURE) (in Korean). 2022-02-24. Retrieved 2023-09-09.
^Lee, Joo-sang (September 6, 2022). 이순재, 손숙, 백일섭, 박정수... '초호화 캐스팅' 연극 '장수상회', 17일부터 18일까지 용산아트홀에서 열려 [Lee Soon-jae, Son Sook, Baek Il-seop, Park Jeong-soo... 'Super Luxury Casting' play 'Jangsu Sanghoe', held from the 17th to the 18th at Yongsan Art Hall] (in Korean). Sports Seoul. Retrieved September 6, 2022 – via Naver.
^해남군, 이순재·정영숙의 명품연극'사랑해요, 당신'공연 [Haenam-gun, Lee Soon-jae and Jung Young-sook's luxury theatre 'I love you, you' performance]. m.siminilbo.co.kr (in Korean). 2022-05-23. Retrieved 2023-07-22.
^Go, Seung-hee (2022-08-09). '햄릿' 박건형·박지연 "굳은살 도려내고 배우로의 시간 돌아보는 날들" ['Hamlet' Park Gun-hyung and Park Ji-yeon "Days of looking back on time as an actor"]. 헤럴드경제 (in Korean). Retrieved 2023-01-19.
^Kim Hyun-jung (May 17, 2022). 권성덕·전무송·손숙·유인촌→박지연·김수현, '햄릿' 세대 초월 [Kwon Seong-deok, Jeon Moo-song, Son Sook, Yoo In-chon → Park Ji-yeon and Kim Soo-hyun, transcending the 'Hamlet' generation] (in Korean). xportsnews. Retrieved May 17, 2022 – via Naver.
^79세 손숙 "내 이름 건 마지막 작품 '토카타', 죽을 만큼 해보자" [MK현장] [79-year-old Son Sook "My name is the last work 'Tokata', let's do it to death" [MK scene]]. 스타투데이 (in Korean). 2023-08-23. Retrieved 2023-09-09.
^제3회 아름다운예술인상 대상에 최인호 작가 [Writer Choi In-ho won the 3rd Beautiful Artist Award]. Edaily [ko] (in Korean). 2013-12-09. Retrieved 2023-09-19.
^Kim, Hyun-sik (2022-12-31). "'붉은단심' 박지연·'태종 이방원' 예지원, 조연상 영예[2022 KBS 연기대상]" ['Red Heart' Park Ji-yeon, 'Taejong Lee Bang-won' Ye Ji-won, supporting actor award honor [2022 KBS Acting Awards]]. entertain.naver.com (in Korean). Retrieved 2023-01-19.
^Kim, Young-hyun (2012-10-15). 김원일·신달자·손숙 등 은관문화훈장 수훈 [Kim Won-il, Shin Dal-ja, Son-sook, etc. receive the Silver Kwan Cultural Medal]. Naver News (in Korean). Retrieved 2023-08-23.
^연극무대 주름잡는 60~70대 배우 "나이는 숫자에 불과" [Actors in their 60s and 70s on the theatre stage "Age is just a number"]. 종합일간지 : 신문/웹/모바일 등 멀티 채널로 국내외 실시간 뉴스와 수준 높은 정보를 제공 (in Korean). 2013-06-28. Retrieved 2023-08-31.