Kim Hae-sook
Personal details
  • Born:
    • Birthday: 1955-12-30
    • Born Place: Busan, South Korea
  • Also Known As:

    Kim Hae-suk, Hae-sook Kim, Hae-suk Kim, کیم هه سوک

Kim Hae-sook

Kim Hae-sook (Korean: 김해숙) is a prolific South Korean actress born on December 30, 1955, in Busan, South Korea. She is a veteran actress with a career spanning over four decades, having made her acting debut in 1974 in the MBC drama Chief Inspector. Kim Hae-sook is widely recognized and affectionately nicknamed the "Nation's Mother" for her frequent and highly-acclaimed portrayal of warm, complex, and often strong-willed maternal figures across numerous films and television series, although she has also taken on diverse, non-motherly roles. She has appeared in many popular K-dramas, including Autumn in My Heart (2000), Winter Sonata (2002), Hospital Playlist (2020), Start-Up (2020), Under The Queen's Umbrella (2022), and Strong Girl Nam-soon (2023).In film, Kim Hae-sook has built an impressive resume, often working with leading directors. Her notable film roles include playing an unwholesome middle-aged woman in Love (2007), the strong mother-in-law Mrs. Ra in Park Chan-wook's horror film Thirst (2009), the master burglar "Chewing Gum" in the hit blockbuster The Thieves (2012), and a memorable supporting role in Hope (2013). She also appeared in major period films like Assassination (2015), The Throne (2015), and the highly-regarded The Handmaiden (2016). Her work has garnered significant recognition, including multiple wins for Best Supporting Actress at prestigious events like the Blue Dragon Film Awards, Daejong Film Awards, and Chunsa Film Festival for roles in films such as Thirst, Open City, and The Thieves. She has also published a book titled Mother of Hallyu Stars: Kim Hae-sook's Story and received the Silver Crown Order of Cultural Merit in 2025, one of South Korea's highest government honors for contributions to popular culture. Kim Hae-sook is a graduate of Kyung Hee University and is reported to have two children.

Person History