Biography of Kim Hae-sook

Kim Hae-sook, or the Nation’s Mother of South Korea, is a renowned actress respected for her priceless contribution to the Hallyu world. She has played noteworthy roles in popular movies and dramas alongside numerous talented actors. With her years of experience and inborn talent, she has become an invaluable artist in the South Korean entertainment industry. She has received numerous awards in several award functions and has been nominated in various categories.

Also, she published her memoir titled ‘Mother of Hallyu Stars: Kim Hae-sook’s Story’ in 2005.

She played influential roles in ‘Autumn in My Hearts’ (2000), ‘Oh Feel Young’ (2005), ‘Mother of Mine’ (2019), ‘Under the Queen’s Umbrella‘ (2022), ‘Gyeongseong Creature’ (2023-2024), and ‘Mr. Plankton’ (2024), to name a few.

Early Life and Education

Kim Hae-sook celebrates her birthday on 30 December 1955. Her legacy as an actress started in 1974 in the South Korean entertainment field. Her contributions include movies and dramas in a number of genres and numerous television shows.

Hae-sook debuted through the 1974 television series ‘Chief Inspector’ aired by MBC. She starred in her debut movie, ‘Angry Apple’ in 1976. Afterwards, she starred in a series of dramas and movies and gained insights into different supporting and character roles by working with skillful artists.

Career

It is a fascinating fact that Kim Hae-sook has performed numerous mother roles in South Korean dramas and movies. Due to the speciality of roles that she performed, she was able to personally connect with her fellow stars in the industry. Likewise, many of the young actors and actresses consider her as a motherly figure in their lives.

While Kim Hae-sook was attending an old television show named ‘Healing Camp’ streamed by SBS, she received an unexpected letter from the actor Won Bin, and like a son, he expressed his love for her in the letter. Also, he expressed his gratitude for her genuine concern and love for him. During that time, Hae-sook and Won Bin had already finished working on the 2004 movie ‘My Brother’.

Her brilliance in portraying mother roles brought a variety of different faces of motherhood to the screen. Her adaptability to the characteristics of the given characters proved her ability to perform both positive and negative roles.

The Notable Mother Roles that Kim Hae-sook Played (2018 – 2025)

Mr. Plankton

‘Mr. Plankton’ is a 2024 romantic comedy-drama that revolves around the lives of Hae Jo and Jo Jae-mi. It featured Woo Do-hwan, Lee Yoo-mi, and Oh Jung-se in lead roles. Hae-sook appeared in the mother role of the character portrayed by Oh Jung-see.

In the show, Oh Jung-see is seen as Eo Heung, the heir of a 500-year-old influential family in South Korea. The Eo clan is under the guidance of Eo Heung’s mother, Bum Ho-ja (Kim Hae-sook). By playing the role of Bum Ho-ja, Hae-sook brought a bold and loving mother to the screen.

Gyeongseong Creature

In the period fantasy drama ‘Gyeongseong Creature’ (2023-2024), Hae-sook played the role of Mrs. Nawol. She appeared as a motherly figure of the hero Tae-sang (Park Seo-joon). She takes care of Tae-sang’s pawnshop when he engages in other work.

My Demon

The drama ‘My Demon’ (2023) is a romantic fantasy thriller that revolves around the characters Do Do-hee and Jeong Gu-won/Seo Yi-sun. In the popular television series, Hae-sook played the role of the founder and chairwoman of Mirae Group. By displaying Joo Cheon-sook, Hae-sook gave life to the character of a bold lady who is skilled in managing her personal life, family life, and the family business that she brought to great heights with her toil.

Under the Queen’s Umbrella

‘Under the Queen’s Umbrella‘ is one of the binge-worthy dramas of 2022. It tells the story of a queen’s struggle to tame her mischievous sons into capable princes. In the show, Kim Hae-sook was one of the lead cast members and appeared in the negative role of Queen Dowager.

Along with Hae-sook’s brilliant performance, actress Kim Hye-soo joins her in a strong opponent role of both a mother and a queen. Kim Hye-soo plays the role of Queen Im Hwa-ryeong.

Mother of Mine

The romantic comedy drama ‘Mother of Mine’ (2019) featured Kim Hae-sook, Yoo Sun, Kim So-yeon, Choi Myung-gil, Park Geun-soo, Kim Ha-kyung, and Nam Tae-boo in lead roles. Hae-sook portrayed a hard-working and loving mother named Park Seon-ja. As a single mother, Seon-ja raises her three daughters by running a beef soup restaurant.

Room No. 9

‘Room No.9’ is an audience favourite K-drama released in 2018. It is starred by Kim Hee-sun, Kim Hae-sook, and Kim Young-kwang in lead roles.

The show pictures Hae-sook as a mischievous murderer who is responsible for a poison murder case. She appeared as the character Jang Hwa-sa alongside Kim Hee-sun, who plays the role of a skilled lawyer. The drama unfolds the mysterious story when the two women’s souls switch their bodies.

Who is She

‘Who is She’ is a 2024-2025 television series inspired by the K-movie ‘Miss Granny’ that was released in 2014. Years later, when the remake of the movie hits the mini screen, Kim Hae-sook appears as the granny who gets the unbelievable opportunity to live in her 20s in the present world after visiting a mysterious photography studio.

The WONDERfools (upcoming)

‘The WONDERfools’ is a mystery thriller series that is expected to release in 2026. It lines up the stellar cast: Park Eun-bin, Cha Eun-woo, Kim Hae-sook, and Choi Dae-hoon. Hae-sook appears as the grandmother of the character Eun Chae-ni, which is performed by the actress Park Eun-bin.

Other Notable Roles of Kim Hae-sook

Among the many roles, Kim Hae-sook is highly respected for her ‘mother roles’. She has always been a part of the dramas and movies that were focused on strong female characters. She has played the role of a mother for many South Korean heartthrobs.

Some of the old notable dramas in which Kim Hae-sook has appeared in a mother role are:

Summer Scent

‘Summer Scent’ is a KBS2 television series released in 2003. The lead roles in the romantic drama were performed by Song Seung-heon, Son Ye-jin, Han Ji-hye, and Ryu Jin. In the show, Hae-sook appeared as the mother of Song Seung-heon.

Sweet 18

In the 2004 romantic comedy-drama ‘Sweet 18’ Hae-sook played the mother role for the character Yoon Jung-sook, played by the actress Han Ji-hye.

My Rosy Life

‘My Rosy Life’ was a romantic drama starring Choi Jin-sil and Son Hyun-joo. It was released in 2005. In the show, Hae-sook appeared as the biological mother of the character Maeng Soon-yi played by Choi Jin-sil.

Spring Waltz

In the 2006 television series ‘Spring Waltz’, Hae-soon performed the role of Jo Yang-soon, who is the aunt and the adoptive mother of the character Seo Eun-young played by the actress Han Hyo-joo.

Robber

In the K-drama ‘Robber’, Kim Hae-sook played the role of Lee Soom-seom, who is the mother-in-law of the character Jin Dal-rae played by the actress Lee Da-hae. The show was aired in 2008.

Life is Beautiful

‘Life is Beautiful’ is a romantic family drama directed by Jung Eul-young that was released in 2010. In the show starring Song Chang-eui, Lee Sang-yoon, Lee Sang-woo, and Nam Sang-mi, Hae-sook appeared as the character Kim Min-jae. Min-jae is the mother of four children.

A Thousand Day’s Promise

‘A Thousand Day’s Promise’ is a 2011 drama featuring Soo Ae and Kim Rae-won. In the show, Hae-sook appeared in the mother role named Kang Soo-jung. She appeared as the mother of the character played by Kim Rae-won.

I Can Hear Your Voice

‘I Can Hear Your Voice’ is a romantic fantasy drama starring Lee Bo-young and Lee Jong-suk. In the drama, the mother role for the character Jang Hye-sung, played by the actress Lee Bo-young, was played by Kim Hae-sook. Her character was named Eo Choom-shim.

Hotel King

In the 2014 drama ‘Hotel King’, Hae-sook performed the mother role of the character played by the South Korean heartthrob Lee Dong-wook (visit his official instagram page @leedongwook_official). Her character was named Baek Mi-nyeo, who works at the hotel with the intention of destroying it to avenge the death of her other son, Hyun-woo.

Marriage, Not Dating

In the 2014 television series ‘Marriage, Not Dating’, Hae-sook appeared as the mother of the character portrayed by the actor Yeon Woo-jin.

Pinocchio

In the 2014-15 popular K-drama ‘Pinocchio’, Hae-sook appeared as the character Park Rosa, who hides a lot of secrets. She brings Park Rosa as a mother who is obsessed with her son and spoils him by not guiding him properly.

Whisper

‘Whisper’ is a 2017 romantic thriller film starring Lee Sang-yoon, Lee Bo-young, Park Se-young, and Kwon Yul. Kim Hae-sook portrays the role of Kim Sook-hee, the mother of the character played by Lee Bo-young.

My Father is Strange

‘My Father is Strange’ was a popular K-drama that featured Kim Hae-sook, Kim Yeong-cheol, Ryu Soo-young, Lee Joon, Lee Yu-ri, and Jung So-min in lead roles. The drama tells the story of a family that lives in the countryside. In the show, Hae-sook is seen as a loving and protective mother who tries to save her family at all costs.

Kim Hae-sook’s Binge-worthy Movies

Kim Hae-sook was a part of numerous binge-worthy movies in the Hallyu world.

Herstory

‘Herstory’ was a 2018 movie directed by Min Kyu-dong inspired by the real-life incidents that happened in Shimonoseki in 1990. It narrates the story of a group of women fighting for justice during the Japanese rule in Korea.

In the film, Hae-sook portrayed a strong female role along with the actresses Kim Hee-ae, Ye Soo-jung, Lee Yong-nyeo, and Moon Sook.

Hope

‘Hope’ was a critically acclaimed movie released in 2013. It featured Uhm Ji-won, Sul Kyung-gu, and Lee Re in lead roles. The plot of the movie is inspired by the rape case that happened in 2008. The movie presents Kim Hae-sook as a psychiatrist named Song Jung-sook.

Thirst

‘Thirst’ is an award-winning movie that was released in 2009. The movie gives the audience a fresh experience by portraying the story of a priest who turns into a vampire due to a failed experiment.

In the film, Hae-sook appears as an overprotective mather alongside the co-actors Song Kang-ho and Kim Ok-vin.

The Thieves

The thriller comedy film ‘The Thieves’ explores the story of a heist planned and executed by a group of untrustworthy robbers. Hae-sook joined the film’s cast as a middle-aged heist member named Chewingum.

Our Seasons

‘Our Season’ is a fantasy drama movie that is centered on motherly love. In the film, Hae-sook is seen as a mother who comes to Earth on a three-day vacation from heaven. During her vacation time, she stays with her beloved daughter, Bang Jin-joo (Shin Min-a).

Sunflower

‘Sunflower’ (2006) is a popular action thriller movie released in 2006. It featured Kim Rae-won and Kim Hae-sook in lead roles where Kim Rae-won acts as the son and Kim Hae-sook acts as his adopted mother.

Achievements

Kim Hae-sook is a respected woman in the South Korean entertainment industry. By performing versatile roles, especially the mother roles especially, she has unleashed her potential as a gifted actress with more than five decades of experience and greatly contributed to the acting field.

Besides acting, she has published a memoir named ‘Mother of Hallyu Stars: Kim Hae-sook’s Story’. Her continuous appearance in mother roles for the lead actors and actresses gifted her the title ‘Nation’s Mother’.

Personal Life

Kim Hae-sook is a Catholic by religion and has two children.

Net Worth and Lifestyle

The exact net worth of Kim Hae-sook is unknown. However, she is living a comfortable life and most of her income is generated from her acting career.

Awards

Interesting Facts about Kim Hae-sook

1. Kim Hae-sook is nicknamed as Nation’s Mother of South Korea.
2. Kim Hae-sook plays the piano.
3. Kim Hae-sook is a reputed actress and she has appeared in the mother role for a lot of leading actors and actresses in the South Korean entertainment industry.

FAQs

1. Which are the popular dramas that Kim Hae-sook has appeared in?
   ‘Oh Feel Young’ (2005), ‘Mother of Mine’ (2019), ‘Under the Queen’s Umbrella‘ (2022),
2. ‘ (2023-2024), and ‘Mr. Plankton’ (2024).
   
3. Which are the popular movies that Kim Hae-sook has appeared in?
   ‘Herstory’ (2018), ‘Hope’ (2013), ‘Thirst’ (2009), ‘Our Season’ (2023), and ‘Sunflower’ (2006).
   
4. When does Kim Hae-sook celebrates her birthday?
   Hae-sook celebrates her birthday on 30 December.
5. What is the age of Kim Hae-sook?
   Kim Hae-sook turned 69 years old on 30 December 2024.