Actor Yun Seok-hwa, who represents Korea's theater world, died at 9:54 a.m. on the 19th at Shinchon Severance Hospital in Seoul with family and close associates at her side. After surgery for a malignant brain tumor in 2022, she battled the illness for about three years.
Born in Seoul in 1956, Yun debuted in 1975 with the play "Sweet Taste." She went on to cement her status as the first star actor of the theater scene, leaving behind numerous hits including "Agnes of God," "A letter to my daughter," and "The last empress." In particular, her singular acting in plays such as "A letter to my daughter" and "Master class" earned simultaneous praise from the public and critics.
She was active not only in acting but also in producing and directing plays, and as a publisher. Running the small theater "Jeongmiso," she staged experimental works, and she acquired the monthly magazine "Gaeksuk," which was in financial distress, and worked as publisher to advance culture and the arts. She also took the lead in social action, including charity work to improve adoption culture after adopting two children.
The late actor, who swept awards including four best actress honors at the Baeksang Arts Awards as well as the Dong-A Theater Award and the Lee Hae-rang Theater Award, wrote a page in Korea's theater history; her final stage appearance was a cameo in the 2023 play "Toccata." Despite battling a brain tumor at the time, she appeared on stage for about five minutes to offer a final greeting to the audience.
After appearing on stage in the play "Hamlet" in 2022, she collapsed in October while on a business trip to the United Kingdom, was diagnosed with a brain tumor, and underwent three major surgeries in Seoul. She later noted, "Even if I live for a day, it is important to live as myself," and devoted herself to natural therapy instead of chemotherapy, but she was not recovering despite more than three years of battling the illness.
The funeral hall is expected to be set up at the Shinchon Severance Hospital funeral home, and the surviving family includes her husband, former Joongang General Finance CEO Kim Seok-ki, a son, and a daughter.