Seo Yi-sook (; born December 6, 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).
Early life and education Seo Yi-sook was born December 6, 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.
In 2007, Seo appeared in Bae Sam-shik's Yeol-ha Diary, an adaptation of Park Ji-won's work of the same title. Directed by Son Jin-chaek, known for his serious themes, the play ran from March 10 to 25 at the Seoul Arts Center's Towol Theater. Seo portrayed Yeon-am, a creature described as having characteristics of a horse, donkey, mule, and dog. Her character's narratives introduced chaos and change to a village, prompting curiosity and desire for the unusual. Her performance was well received.
In April 2007, Seo took on the role of the third-rate singer Ju Hyeon-mi in the play Walking Alone on the Yeongdong Bridge as Night Rain Falls. The play, which was inspired by the songs of Ju Hyeon-mi, was written by Choi Chi-eon and directed by Kim Dong-hyun. It satirized the dark era of military dictatorship by featuring a protagonist who was a third-rate poet undergoing censorship of their identity. The play was performed by the theater company Party at the Daehak-ro Information Small Theater starting from April 25.
In 2007, Seo played Clytemnestra in the production of Orestes, alongside Park Ji-il as Orestes. Adapted by Go Young-beom and directed by Lee Seong-yeol, the play explored human nature. Performances of Orestes ran from November 23 to December 2 at the Arko Arts Theater's main stage.
In 2008, Seo was cast as role Helen Damson from the play The Gift of the Gorgon by playwright Peter Shaffer. Seo played opposite actor Jung Dong-hwan, who returned to the stage as Edward Damson after he appeared at the 2003 premiere; and Park Yoon-hee who was cast as Philip. This performance was produced by Experimental theater company. Directed by Koo Tae-hwan, the play was held at the Namsan Drama Center on November 18 to 23, 2008. This project was the most memorable in Seo's career. She received standing ovation from the audience on her last performance.
In August 2009 Seo performed encore the play The Gift of the Gorgon at the Arko Arts Theater in Daehangno, Seoul. Director Park Geun-hyung of Theater Company Alleyway saw her performance and approached Seo in her dressing room to propose a collaboration on Chekhov's The Seagull. Seo accepted the offer, stating, "I was planning to take a break, but I couldn't resist the opportunity to participate in a small theater production after a long time. I was also very interested in Park Geun-hyung's working style." Seo portrays Arkadina, a character at the heart of the play's tragedy. Seo's portrayal of Arkadina was praised by critics. Her performance, characterized by a composed demeanor and dramatic vocal outbursts, adds depth to the intimate theatrical experience. As a respected mid-career actor, she upholds the theater industry's reputation.
In 2009, Seo joined play The Women of Picasso by Synsi Musical Company as the opening work of the 30th 2009 Seoul Theater Festival at Towol Theater, Seoul Arts Center from April 16 to 26, 2009. Korean premiere was directed by British director Paul Garrington who directed The Women of Picasso at the 2000 Edinburgh Festival. The original was premiered at the National Theater in London in July 2000, based on a play by Brian McAvera.
Seo takes on the role of the 'eldest daughter' in the play Take Care of Mom. The play has been revitalized through the creative vision of writer Go Yeon-ok, known for her insightful understanding of the human psyche, and director Ko Seok-man, who has honed his directing skills in the theater industry for over 30 years. Seo shares the stage with Jeong Hye-sun, who portrays the character of the mother. Additionally, the cast includes Shim Yang-hong as the husband, Gil Yong-woo as the eldest son, Lee Hye-won as the second daughter, Baek Baek-hee as the grandmother, and Park Woong as Lee Eun-gyu.
In 2011, Seo was selected as the 12th winner by the Kim Dong-hoon Theater Awards. Award was given due Seo excellent acting skills in 'Oedipus' and 'Memories of Catfish' in 2011, and her previous works The Seagull, The Tempest, The Gift of the Gorgon, The Women of Picasso, and Yelha Diary. The Heretics is a work by British author Richard Bean and is introduced for the first time in Korea. Seo, played the role of Diane Cassel, a scientist and professor of high climate department.
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.