'A symbol of the first-generation theater world' the late Yoon Seok-hwa died after battling a brain tumor. Choosing natural remedies over chemotherapy and living until the end a life 'true to Yoon Seok-hwa,' she ultimately ended her life at the age of 69.
According to the theater community, Yoon Seok-hwa fell into eternal rest on the 19th at 9:54 a.m. at Seoul Sinchon Severance Hospital, watched over by family and close acquaintances.
Yoon Seok-hwa was diagnosed with a brain tumor just four months after appearing at a public rehearsal event for the play 'Hamlet' held in June 2022 at Sungshin Women's University Unjeong Green Campus. After major surgery in October of the same year, she continued her fight by choosing natural remedies and dietary therapy instead of chemotherapy.
She asked to be discharged, saying,
In an interview Yoon Seok-hwa showed a calm attitude, saying,
Born in Seoul in 1956, Yoon Seok-hwa debuted in 1975 with the play 'Honey Taste.' Through numerous masterpieces such as 'Agnes of God,' 'Hamlet,' and 'Letters to My Daughter,' she led the golden age of Korean theater and established herself as an actor loved across generations and genres.
Even while battling illness she did not let go of her passion for the stage. In 2023 she made a brief five-minute cameo in the play 'Toccata' at LG Arts Center Seoul, giving the audience a final farewell.
Yoon Seok-hwa was active not only in theater but also in musicals, drama, and film. Through works such as 'Ladies and Gentlemen,' 'Queen Myeongseong,' and 'The Miracle We Met,' she communicated with the public, and she put effort into directing and producing, opening the small theater 'Jeongmiso' in 2002 with architect Jeong Un-gyu. Her directed works 'Wit' and '19 and 80' are still spoken of as masterpieces.
In 1995 she founded Wildflower Company and produced the animation 'Hong Gil-dong 95,' and she directed the musical 'Saturday Night Fever' and participated in producing 'Top Hat.' 'Top Hat' received the Laurence Olivier Award in the U.K., gaining international attention.
Yoon Seok-hwa was an artist who spent her life on the stage. She left a significant mark on the arts by winning the Baeksang Arts Awards best actress four times, as well as the Dong-A Theater Award, Seoul Theater Festival Award, and Lee Hae-rang Theater Award, receiving the presidential citation in 2005 and the Korea Culture and Arts Award (theater and dance category) in 2009.
Meanwhile, the wake for the late Yoon Seok-hwa has been set up in special room 1 at the funeral hall of Seoul Sinchon Severance Hospital.
[Photo] Photo joint coverage team
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