Son Sook

Son Sook (Born on May 13, 1944, in Miryang, Gyeongsangnam-do) 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
Soon was born in Dajuk-ri Jukseo Village, Sanoe-myeon, Miryang-gun (currently Jukseo Village, Dajuk-ri, Sanoe-myeon, Milyang-si, Gyeongsangnam-do). 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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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. 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.

Furthermore, two years later, she joined the National Theater Company and encountered Director Haehyang Sunsaeng, which brought new vitality to her life. 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.'"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.

‘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.

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.

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. It is worth noting that regulations governing the conduct of public officials prohibit them from accepting more than 50,000 won for any purpose.

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.

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.

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. "'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.'"In 2004, Son Sook's Mother was performed in COEX Art Hall.

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.

Other activities
She took on the role of Chairperson of the Ethiopian Korean War Veterans Support Association.

In March 2006, she was appointed as a visiting professor in the Department of Theater and Film at Dankook University.

From April 2013 to May 2020, she served as the Director of the Mapo Cultural Foundation.

Finally, from September 2018 to September 2021, she held the position of Director of the Arts Council.

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-gu, 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.

'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.

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. The couple has three daughters together. 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.

Book

 * Love Out
 * Smile, love (2006)
 * There is no one without scars in their heart
 * Looking at the sky from the edge of a cliff
 * What makes me so
 * Crying and laughing and living together
 * A very special interview with Son Sook (2007)

Others

 * 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.