Tributes from colleagues in the theater and musical theater communities continue to pour in for actor Yoon Seok-hwa, 69, who died on the 19th after battling a brain tumor. The arts and culture world, grieving the news of the death at age 69, said a great star of Korean theater has fallen.
Actor Son Sook, who appeared with the deceased in plays such as "Agnes of God" and "Three Sisters" and was especially close, said in a phone interview with Yonhap News that "as a senior who has had to send off a junior first, I have nothing to say. It is devastating," unable to hide the sorrow.
Son Sook said, "The deceased left with one year to go before turning 70, when she really wanted to try a particular work," expressing regret. After revealing in 2022 that she was battling a brain tumor, the following Aug. she made a friendly appearance at "Toccata," a performance marking the 60th anniversary of Son Sook's acting career. "Toccata" became Yoon Seok-hwa's final work.
Musical actor Nam Kyung-joo also recalled an anecdote from more than 40 years ago when the deceased bought him tap dance shoes in the United States, and expressed gratitude and respect, saying, "Her passion for acting was incomparable to anyone."
He also recalled that in 1999 the deceased acquired the performing arts monthly magazine Auditorium, which was struggling financially, and served as publisher. Nam Kyung-joo said, "Thanks to her acquiring Auditorium and working as its publisher, it greatly helped juniors in the theater and musical theater fields."
Academia and related groups also raised their voices to honor the deceased's achievements. Theater critic Kim Geon-pyo said, "She was an actor with even a management mindset who helped the performing arts community by running a theater at her own expense and publishing the magazine 'Auditorium.'"
Gil Hae-yeon, chair of the Korea Actors Welfare Foundation, said, "She recognized early the need for artist welfare and put it into practice," adding, "The deceased's dedication to protecting the rights and interests of theater people will be remembered in Korea's performing arts community for a long time."
The deceased's mortuary is set up at the funeral hall of Sinchon Severance Hospital. The funeral will be held on the 21st, and the burial site is Yongin Park Honor Stone.