Stay tuned for Pyo Kyung-min's latest K-pop stories, where she digs into the backstories that matter. She’d love to hear from you — share your thoughts at pzzang@koreatimes.co.kr. After all, every article gets better with insights from those who love the scene, just like she does!
Theater pioneer Yoon Suk-hwa dies at 69
Actor Yoon Suk-hwa / Yonhap
By Pyo Kyung-min
Yoon uk-hwa, a leading figure in Korea's first generation of modern theater actors, died Friday after battling a brain tumor. She was 69.
The Korean Actors Association said Yoon died at 9:54 a.m. at Severance Hospital in Seoul, with family members and close acquaintances at her side. Reports of her death had circulated earlier in the day before her passing was officially confirmed several hours later.
Actor Yoon Suk-hwa performs as Ophelia in the 2016 production of "Hamlet." Courtesy of Seensee Company
Yoon had been in treatment since October 2022, when she underwent surgery for a malignant brain tumor. Earlier that same year she had appeared as Ophelia in a production of "Hamlet." After publicly disclosing her illness, she made her final stage appearance in 2023 with a brief guest role in the play "Toccata" at LG Arts Center in Seoul.
Gil Hae-yeon, chair of the Theater People Welfare Foundation of Korea, said Yoon was “a central pillar of Korea’s theater community and someone who recognized and put into practice the importance of artists’ welfare earlier than anyone else.”
“Her dedication to laying the foundation for the foundation and to protecting the rights of theater artists and expanding welfare programs will remain a lasting legacy in Korea’s performing arts community,” Gil mourned. “We offer our deepest condolences and extend our heartfelt sympathies to her bereaved family.”
Yoon Suk-hwa performs as Agnes in a 1980s production of "Agnes of God," which she translated and starred in. Korea Times file
Born in Seoul in 1956, Yoon made her stage debut in 1975. She earned widespread recognition for her performances in acclaimed productions, such as "Agnes of God," "Hamlet" and "A Letter to My Daughter," and was widely credited with helping establish and popularize modern Korean theater.
Over her decades-long career, Yoon also worked across musical theater, television and film. Her musical credits included "Guys and Dolls" and "The Last Empress," while television audiences knew her from dramas such as KBS' 2018 series "The Miracle We Met."
Yoon Suk-hwa in a 1995 production of the Korean musical "The Last Empress" / Korea Times file
Beyond acting, Yoon was active in theater production and directing. In 2002, she established Theater Jungmiso in Daehangno, the heart of the country theater scene. The space became known as a hub for experimental works, with Yoon’s own productions such as "Wit" and "Harold and Maude" now considered modern classics by theatergoers. The theater closed in 2019 due to financial difficulties. Its final production was Arnold Wesker's play “Letter to a Daughter” starring Yoon.
She also directed the Korean production "Saturday Night Fever" and participated in producing "Top Hat" in the U.K. The latter went on to win the Laurence Olivier Award, a notable achievement for Korean theater on the international stage.
In 1999, Yoon took over Auditorium, a monthly performing arts magazine, and served as its publisher. During her tenure, she supported the development of Korea’s performance review culture and worked to elevate the standard of arts criticism.
Actor Yoon Suk-hwa performs a song during a press event for the play "A Letter to My Daughter" in Seoul, May 16, 2019. Yonhap
Throughout her career, Yoon received numerous honors, including four Baeksang Arts Awards for best actress. She was awarded a Presidential Commendation in 2005 and received the Korean Popular Culture and Arts Award in 2009.
The actor is survived by her husband and two children. A longtime advocate for adoption, Yoon adopted a son and a daughter and regularly organized charity concerts to raise awareness and support for adoptive families.