Seo Yi-sook (Korean: 서이숙; born 6 December 1966) is a South Korean theatre, television and movie actress. She is a recipient of the 2003 Gu Hi-seo Theatre Award for Actor of the Year and Expected Actor, the 40th Dong-A Theatre Award for Best Acting (2004), and the 30th Lee Hae-rang Theater Award (2020).
Seo began her career in 1986 by joining a local theater company in Suwon. She received the Best New Actor Award at the 1986 Korea Theatre Festival and an Acting Award at the 6th National Theatre Festival in 1987. After joining the Michu Theatre Company in 1989, she made her debut with the company in Shin Yi Gukgi. The following year, she debuted as a musical actress in Make a Hero (1990).
Seo made her first television appearance as a supporting actress in 2010. Her television work includes supporting roles in Empress Ki (2013–2014), The Rebel (2017), Hotel del Luna (2019), The World of the Married (2020), and Start-Up (2020); and also feature film The Mayor (2017).
Contents
Early life and education
Seo Yi-sook was born 6 December 1966, in Yeoncheon County, Gyeonggi Province, South Korea. She was the elder of two siblings. Her father died of cirrhosis when she was in middle school, and her younger brother died in an accident in her early 20s. These events affected Seo and her mother; they reportedly avoided watching dramas due to emotional distress. Seo's mother continues to reside in their hometown and has not remarried.
While attending Yeoncheon Jeongok High School, Seo played badminton. Her athletic aspirations ended after she was eliminated in the first round of national badminton selections. Due to her family's circumstances, Seo did not attend college. Instead, she joined the Yeoncheon Rural Development Administration, working as a social and physical badminton coach.
Seo's career path shifted after she attended a performance of Agnes of God at the Suwon Arts Theater. The experience was a significant culture shock for her. It prompted her to pursue acting. At nineteen, she applied to a local theater troupe at the Suwon Arts Theater.
Career
Early debut years as member of Michu Trope
In 1986, Seo began her acting career with a local theater company in Suwon, Gyeonggi Province. Her speaking skills led to her participation in several productions, and she received the Best New Actor Award at the 1986 Korea Theatre Festival. The following year, Seo was cast as the lead, Yeok-hwa, in the play Pakkoji. Produced by Anyang Arts Theatre, with Lee Jae-hyeon as producer and Lee Jae-in as director, the play represented Gyeonggi-Do at the 6th National Theatre Festival. Held from May 20 to June 1, 1987, at the Daejeon Civic Centre, the festival featured troupes from 13 cities and provinces. Pakkoji won the President's Award (grand prize). Individually, director Lee Jae-in received the directing award, and Seo Yi-sook was honored with the Acting Award. Pakkoji was subsequently invited to the 12th Seoul International Theatre Festival in 1988, performing at the Arts Centre Grand Theatre on August 19–20.
In 1989, Seo relocated to Seoul and successfully auditioned for Theatre Company Michu. After three months of training, she debuted in Shin Yi Gukgi (1989). A year later, in 1990, she made her musical theater debut in Make a Hero. For over a decade, Seo continued to build her foundation in traditional performing arts, taking on numerous minor roles in Michu's Madangnori productions.
After working for approximately a decade, Seo decided to further her education and enrolled in the School of Korean Music of Chung-Ang University Undergraduate School. Although she majored in acting, her bachelor's degree was in Korean Music, consistent with the department's name.
Seo encountered difficulty securing lead roles due to her height. However, her breakthrough came with the play Heo Sam-gwan Blood (2003). In this production, she portrayed Heo Ok-ran, the wife of Heo Sam-gwan, marking her first lead role after years in Michu productions. Her performance earned her the Actress of the Year and Expected Actress titles at the Hiseo Theatre Awards on December 20, 2003. She also received the Best Acting Award for the same role at the 40th Dong-A Theatre Awards, held on February 13, 2004.
Breaking the troupe barrier
Following her notable achievement in 2004, Seo received an offer in 2005 to portray the role of Hester Swain, the female lead in the play Cat Swamp, produced by the Physic Theater Company. This marked the first time in 10 years that Seo, who was a member of Michu, performed on a stage other than a Michu production. Directed by Han Tae-sook, play Cat Swamp is a renowned work by the Irish-born playwright Marina Carr. The play was staged from November 1 to 13, 2005, at the Seoul Daehangno Arko Arts Theater's Grand Theater (formerly known as the Arts Center Arts Theater).
While working as a theater actress, Seo also pursued her studies at the Graduate School of Chung-Ang University's School of Korean Music. In 2005, she began her academic journey, and three years later, in 2008, Seo successfully obtained her master's degree in Korean Music. Her thesis focused on research in Madangnori. Furthermore, she took on the role of a part-time professor, teaching acting classes at her alma mater. Notably, one of her students was trot singer Song Ga-in.
In 2006, Seo had the opportunity to act in Michael Frayn's 1982 Play Noises Off. This popular work premiered in the UK in 1982 and has been performed in 32 countries. It is a comedy that garnered significant attention, leading to a Hollywood movie adaptation following a successful Broadway run. The Korean performance of "Noises Off" took place at Dongsoong Hall, Dongsoong Art Center, Daehak-ro in May 2006. Seo Yi-suk, who portrayed the character of Cracket, received praise for her natural portrayal in the play. Her unique husky voice added to the charm of her performance, and she skillfully led the flow of the play.
Seo collaborated once again with Han Tae-suk in the play Iron. The play is an intense psychological drama by Rona Munro translated by Sung Soo-jeong. In the play, Seo portrayed a female prison guard who develops an affectionate bond with Jae-yi (played by Yoon So-jung), a female prisoner serving a 15-year sentence for murdering her husband. As a fellow woman who has experienced abuse at the hands of men, the guard empathizes with Jae-yi. However, when Jae-yi takes advantage of this affection and smuggles drugs, the guard's empathy turns into disgust. Additionally, there is a hint of jealousy towards the arrival of Jae-yi's daughter, Yoo-jin. Critic said, Seo's portrayal of the gender-neutral character adds a refreshing catharsis to the play.
Debut in television
Seo made her first television appearance in early 2010, with the role of Queen Myeong-seong in the SBS drama Jejungwon. Queen Myeong-seong was an influential figure in the Joseon Dynasty. In the series, she formed a close bond with Allen, who saved the life of her niece Min Young-ik, and later developed a friendship with Horton. In early 2011, Seo took on the role of the beggar's wife in MBC historical drama The Duo. Since then the broadcasting industry began to pay attention to Seo, leading to numerous offers.
In the latter half of 2011, Seo had to withdraw from four scheduled plays due to health reasons. As a result, she decided to shift her focus towards television projects. During this time, JTBC, a newly launched cable channel, approached her with the role of Park Sang-gung (Court Lady Park) in the weekend historical drama Insu, the Queen Mother (2011). Subsequently, she appeared in the drama Feast of the Gods (2012), portraying the character Noh Young-shim, who served as Arirang's assistant chef responsible for Chanmo (kimchi, a basic side dish). Noh Young-shim develops romantic feelings for the chef Lim Do-sik (Park Sang-myeon) of Arirang. The drama revolves around the intense rivalry between Go Jun-young (Sung Yu-ri) and Ha In-joo (Seo Hyun-jin) as they compete for the position of master chef in Arirang, a renowned traditional Korean restaurant known for its exceptional cuisine.
Theatre comeback and first award in television
In 2012, after recovering her health, Seo returned to the stage in I Miss Your Parents. This play was a Korean adaptation of Seigo Hatasawa's Japanese work, Oya no Kao ga Mitai, which deals with school violence. The Korean version was directed by Kim Gwang-bo, known for his socially conscious productions. The production featured a stellar cast of theater stars, including Son Sook, Park Yong-su, Lee Dae-yeon, Park Ji-il, Gil Hae-yeon, Jang Young-nam, and Seo Eun-kyung. Seo, who shared the role with Gil Hae-yeon, played a mother who leverages her position as head of school administration to intimidate the victim's family.
In 2013, Seo appeared as Seo Sang-gung, also known as Court Lady Seo, Empress Tanashiri's (played by Baek Jin-hee) right-hand servant, in the historical television series Empress Ki. The following year, she took on the role of Kang Seok-soon, the chief of Gangnam Police Station, in the 2014 SBS drama You're All Surrounded. The drama was written by Lee Jeong-sun and directed by Yoo In-sik.
Amidst her busy television schedule, which included weekend dramas, daily dramas, and mini-series, Seo continued to perform on stage in the play Romeo and Juliet. This production commemorated the 400th anniversary of Shakespeare's death. Park Jung-Min and Moon Geun-Young played Romeo and Juliet, respectively. Seo, double-cast with Son Byung-ho as Juliet's nanny.
In 2015, Seo Yi-sook portrayed Na Hyun-ae in the KBS Wednesday-Thursday drama Unkind Ladies. Her character was depicted as a snobbish antagonist who bullied Kim Hyun-sook (played by Chae Shi-ra) in the series due to her perceived lack of educational opportunities.
In 2017, Seo joined cast of detective drama Bad Thief, Good Thief as Hong Mi-ae. That same year, she returned to the historical drama genre, portraying Lady Jo, the wife of Jo Cham-bong, in The Rebel. Initially, her role was meant to be minor, with appearances limited to episodes 1 to 5. However, her exceptional acting skills caught the director's attention, leading to an expansion of her screen time. Lady Jo's character extended throughout the entire series, appearing until the final episode, episode 30. Seo's remarkable performance did not go unnoticed. At the 2017 MBC Drama Awards held on December 30, 2017, she was honored with the Golden Acting Award in the Monday-Tuesday Drama category. This recognition served as a testament to her talent as television actress.
Highest recognition in Theater career and recent works
In 2018, Seo reunited with director Han Tae-sook for a Korean adaptation of the Greek tragedy Electra. The adaptation, written by Ko Yeon-ok, presented a tense version of Electra's revenge story, transforming Electra into a guerrilla warrior and setting the play in a bunker. Seo and Jang Young-nam, were cast as Electra and Clytemnestra, respectively.Their performances ran from April 26 to May 5, 2018, at the LG Art Center. Critics praised that their performances were filled with charisma.
In 2019, Seo and Woo Mi-hwa were double-cast as Nora Helmer, while Son Jong-hak and Park Ho-san were double-cast as Torwald in the Korean adaptation of the play A Doll's House Part 2 by American playwright Lucas Hnath. Originally released in 2017, the play serves as a "sequel" to Henrik Ibsen's masterpiece A Doll's House which premiered in December 1879. Ibsen's play tells the story of Nora Helmer, the wife of Torvald and mother of three, who ultimately leaves her family behind, challenging the societal norms of a 19th-century wife. In A Doll's House Part 2, set in 1894, Nora Helmer returns after 15 years as a successful writer to file divorce.
In 2019, Seo took on the lead role in the monologue play titled Lady Macbeth's Wardrobe, which was performed on November 6 and 7 at Donhwamun Traditional Music Hall in Seoul. This production is a reinterpretation of the classic Shakespeare's play Macbeth, focusing specifically on the story of Lady Macbeth in a Korean context. Through the presence of traditional Korean attire known as 'Hanbok' in her wardrobe, the memories of Lady Macbeth's past are invoked and brought to the present.
In 2019, Seo starred in the Hong Sisters' fantasy drama series Hotel del Luna. She portrayed the six sister Gods known as Ma-go, Seo not only embodied six distinct characters but also displayed her versatility by creating different voice tones for each role. Seo was praised for her captivating performances, which added depth and richness to the series. Directed by Oh Choong-hwan and Kim Jung-hyun, Hotel del Luna became a record-breaking success, standing as the most-watched tvN drama of 2019 and ranking among the top-rated Korean dramas in cable television history.
Seo's next project is The Shepherd Instead, a psychological play. Written and directed by Han Tae-sook, the play explores themes of sympathy and remorse related to discarding cherished items. It was staged at the Arko Arts Theater Small Theater in Seoul from March 6 to March 15, 2020. Seo performed alongside Jeon Park-chan, Son Jin-hwan, Kim Eun-seok, Seong Yeo-jin, Kim Do-wan, Yoo Seung-rak, and Park Soo-jin.
Philanthropy
Seo, who was honored with the 30th Hae-rang Theater Award, donated the prize money to her alma mater and colleagues in the performing arts industry who are facing difficulties due to COVID-19. On the 25th, Seo Yi-sook's agency, Quantum E&M, announced, "Actress Yi-sook Seo donated the theater prize money to the theater industry, including the Welfare Foundation, a theater, and Jeongok High School, where she graduated."
On July 1, 2022, Seo signed an agreement with three senior centers, namely Jeongok Senior Citizens Center, Jeongok 5-ri Senior Citizens' Center, and Jeongok Koaru Apartment Senior Citizens' Center, and sponsored them.
Personal life
In 2011, Seo underwent her first comprehensive health checkup, arranged by the Korea Actors Welfare Foundation. She was diagnosed with thyroid cancer. She had surgery in July, after her performance in Memories of Catfish, and while the operation was successful, doctors noted a risk of vocal cord abnormalities due to the thyroid gland's location (proximity to the uvula). The hospital advised that her voice would be uncomfortable to use for some time, with a vocal cord examination scheduled after six months. She began rehearsals for the play The God of Massacre but experienced throat strain and pain. Concerned about affecting her colleagues, Seo ultimately withdrew from the production. Subsequently, Seo decided to withdraw from other scheduled plays, including Oedipus, Gift of Gorgon, and There's No Sleepless Night.
Recovering from the illness, created a significant challenge for Seo, a theater actor acclaimed for her powerful voice. She later spoke of the profound emptiness and fear she felt at the prospect of losing the voice that defined her stage career. During the same time, she received an offer for a royal concubine role in the JTBC historical drama Insu, the Queen Mother. Given that the drama demanded less vocal strain than theater, she accepted the role as an opportunity to gain diverse experience while taking a break.
From July to September 2021, false rumors claiming Seo had died from a heart attack spread online. Her agency, Quantum E&M, responded by taking legal action against the source of the rumors, issuing a statement that emphasized a firm stance with "no leniency."
