From Kim Ji-seok to Han Soo-yeon, actors you didn't know were descended from Korea’s independence heroes
Kim Ji-seok / Captured from SBS
As Korea marks Liberation Day, which commemorates the restoration of sovereignty from Japanese colonial rule, the legacy of independence fighters continues to inspire the public. Some celebrities who are descendants of these patriots have openly expressed their pride in their family history on television programs.
Actor Kim Ji-seok is the grandson of independence activist Kim Sung-il, who joined the independence volunteer corps and carried out resistance activities. Kim was arrested alongside patriot Yun Bong-gil and endured harsh torture. On his YouTube channel, Kim appeared with his grandmother to share stories about Kim Sung-il. When he asked, “What kind of work did grandfather do during the independence movement?” His grandmother replied, “He delivered information from Korea to the independence army and raised independence funds from wealthy individuals.”
Actor Yoon Joo-bin’s grandfather is the younger brother of Yun Bong-gil. Yun is remembered for throwing a bomb at an event held to celebrate the Japanese emperor’s birthday in Shanghai’s Hongkou Park on April 29, 1932.
Appearing on MBC’s “King of Masked Singer” in 2019, Yoon said, “My father told me that patriotism in modern society is different in meaning from the past. He said doing your best in your own field is patriotism. I want to work hard and become an actor who has a positive influence.”
Han Soo-yeon / Captured from tvN
Actor Han Soo-yeon revealed on tvN’s “Problematic Men” that her maternal great-grandfather was Kim Sun-o, who served as a militia commander in Gongju, South Chungcheong Province, during the independence movement. “The Japanese police record described him as ‘the vicious rebel Kim Sun-o,’” she said. Han has carried on his legacy by participating as a host at the memorial ceremony for the fallen heroes of the Korean Provisional Government.
Actor Park Hwan-hee’s maternal grandfather, Ha Jong-jin, was an activist who distributed Korean flags in Hamyang, South Gyeongsang Province, during the March Independence Movement in 1919. On KBS2’s “Happy Together 3,” Park expressed her pride while talking about him. On KBS2’s Independence Movement Day special program “Spring of 100 Years,” she said, “Thanks to my grandfather, a complete spring has come to this place,” showing her gratitude.
This article from the Hankook Ilbo, the sister publication of The Korea Times, is translated by a generative AI system and edited by The Korea Times.