Kim Mi-soo
Overview
Kim Mi-soo (August 16, 1989 – June 27, 2022) was a South Korean actress. She began to gain attention after debuting in the 2018 film Burning, and later showcased her presence as a supporting actress in dramas such as It's Okay to Not Be Okay, Youth of May, and Jirisan. On June 27, 2022, she suddenly passed away at the age of 32, leaving many in sorrow.
Main Content
Early Life and Debut
Kim Mi-soo was born in 1989 in Gimhae, South Gyeongsang Province. She developed an interest in acting from a young age and graduated from the Korea National University of Arts' School of Drama. After graduation, she primarily worked on stage before making her screen debut in a minor role in director Lee Chang-dong's 2018 film Burning. In the film, she played the role of protagonist Jong-su's (Yoo Ah-in) hometown friend, leaving a brief but strong impression.
Major Works
After her debut, Kim Mi-soo steadily continued her acting career. In the 2020 tvN drama It's Okay to Not Be Okay, she played the role of psychiatric ward nurse Park Hyang-mi, delivering a stable performance. That same year, in the KBS2 drama Youth of May, set in 1980s Gwangju, she portrayed Lee Soo-ryun, the protagonist's friend, earning empathy from viewers. In 2021, she appeared in the tvN drama Jirisan as a national park ranger, which became her final drama. She also played a supporting role in the film Three Sisters (2021), delivering a weighty performance in a family drama.
Acting Style and Evaluation
Kim Mi-soo was known for her natural and understated acting style. She was particularly adept at enhancing the atmosphere of a scene as a supporting actress, and was praised for her delicate emotional expression. Fellow actors remembered her as a 'diligent and warm person,' earning respect not only for her acting but also for her humanity. In her posthumous work Jirisan, she portrayed a strong-willed ranger character, receiving acclaim for expanding her acting range.
Death and Aftermath
On June 27, 2022, Kim Mi-soo was found unconscious at her home and was taken to the hospital, but was ultimately pronounced dead. The police did not disclose the exact cause of death, and an autopsy was not conducted per the family's wishes. She was 32 years old. Her sudden death came as a great shock to the entertainment industry and fans, with many fellow actors and directors expressing condolences on social media. In particular, Burning director Lee Chang-dong wrote a tribute, saying, 'It's so sad that a flower that hadn't yet bloomed has withered.'
Recent Trends
As of 2024, Kim Mi-soo's posthumous works are being reexamined by fans and colleagues who remember her. In 2023, the film Three Sisters, in which she appeared, was re-released through online streaming services, drawing viewers' attention. Additionally, in June 2024, on the second anniversary of her death, some fans voluntarily held a memorial exhibition, which, though small in scale, served as an opportunity to reflect on her acting career. It has been reported that the Korean Academy of Film Arts (KAFA) is discussing the establishment of a 'Kim Mi-soo Acting Award' in her honor, though this has not yet been officially confirmed. Meanwhile, since her death, the works she appeared in have been consistently streamed on OTT platforms, with Youth of May in particular seeing high rewatch rates, evoking nostalgia for her acting.
Related Topics
- [[Burning (film)]]
- [[It's Okay to Not Be Okay]]
- [[Youth of May]]
- [[Jirisan (TV series)]]
- [[Korea National University of Arts]]
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