Veteran stage actress Yoon Seok‑hwa, revered as one of the founding pillars of modern Korean theater and fondly remembered as the “eternal Agnes,” has died after a long battle with brain cancer. She died on the morning of December 19 at 9:53 am at Severance Hospital in Sinchon, Seoul, surrounded by family and close acquaintances. He was 69 years old.
According to those close to her, Yoon’s children, who reside in the United Kingdom, recently returned to Korea after being informed that her condition had worsened. Her passing sent waves of grief through the theater community, where she was respected not only for her talent but also for her unwavering devotion to the stage.
Born in Seoul in 1956, Yoon Seok‑hwa made her acting debut in 1975 with the play Honey Taste. She later rose to fame with iconic plays such as “Agnes of God,” “Hamlet” and “A Letter to My Daughter,” establishing herself as one of the most influential actresses in the history of Korean theater. Along with senior actresses Park Jung‑ja and Son Sook, she was often referred to as one of the legendary “three queens” of Korean theater.
His career has extended far beyond the stage. Yoon has also appeared in musicals, television series and films, and notably became the first actress to play Empress Myeongseong in the musical “The Last Empress”. In the 1990s, she gained widespread public recognition through commercials, the most famous of which was for a coffee shop that popularized the phrase “I’m a kind woman, too.” He also lent his voice to commercial theme songs, demonstrating his versatility.
Yoon was also deeply involved in manufacturing and social causes. In 1994, she founded the Stone Flower Company, named after her name Seok‑hwa (meaning “stone flower”), and served as its CEO. She was a strong advocate for adoption, having adopted both a son and daughter herself, and received a presidential commendation for her contributions to improving adoption culture in Korea.
His awards have been numerous and prestigious. She has won the Baeksang Arts Award for Best Actress four times and has received awards including the Women’s Dong‑A Award, the Seoul Theater Festival Award, the Lee Hae‑rang Theater Award and the Director’s Association Actor Award. She was also awarded the Minister of Culture and Tourism’s Commendation in 2004, followed by a Presidential Commendation in 2005. In 2009, she received the Korea Culture and Arts Award in the theater and dance category.
Yoon Seok‑hwa underwent surgery for a malignant brain tumor in October 2022 and has been undergoing treatment since then. His last stage appearance was a special guest role in the 2023 comedy Toccata. Although he expressed a strong desire to fully return to the stage, that performance ultimately became his last.
In a previous interview, Yoon once said, “As long as there is a stage I can stand on and a story I can share, I will act anytime, anywhere.” He also left behind a philosophy that defined his career: “There are only small actors, not small roles. If a play is good, I would also play a passerby. Otherwise, I might reject even the protagonist. If I could contribute even a little to a play, that would be enough.”
A funeral altar will be set up at the funeral hall of Severance Hospital in Sinchon. She leaves behind her husband, Kim Seok‑gi, former CEO of Jungang General Finance, and their two children.
Yoon Seok‑hwa’s departure marks the end of an era, but his belief in the dignity of every role and his passion for theater will continue to resonate on Korean stages for generations to come.
Sources: Nate
