Jang Mi-ja (; February 3, 1941 – January 27, 2025) was a South Korean actress and voice actor. Beginning her career in around 1959, she debuted in the play Without the Pain of Breaking the Shell in 1962 and joined DBS Dong-A Broadcasting (which was later merged into the sixth public recruitment of KBS) as a part of their first generation of voice actors in 1963. In 1981, she began her screen career in the movie "Ban Geum-ryeon". She was nicknamed "The Nation's Mother-in-Law" after her portrayal of a mother-in-law in the drama The Clinic for Married Couples: Love and War.
Jang was also known for her extensive contributions to theater. She was a member of the Theater Actors' Association and led the theater company Samgaksan. Her stage performances included plays such as One Flew Over the Cuckoo's Nest, Drying Peppers, Golden Pond, and Human Time.
In addition to her stage work, Jang appeared in several well-known television dramas such as Dalmuri, Land, The Second Republic, The Sons of Sol Pharmacy House, Believe in Love, and The Light in Your Eyes. In 2023, she appeared in the JTBC drama King the Land, in what would become one of her final screen roles.
Jang was married to Park Woong, a fellow voice actor and actor. The couple frequently collaborated on stage productions, notably performing together in the play Dancing Silver Portrait in 2024. They had two sons; Park Kang and Park Joon. Their second son, Park Joon, has pursued a career in acting.
Jang died on January 27, 2025 at the Seoul National University Hospital due to a chronic illness. Her funeral was held on January 29, 2025, at the Seoul City Cemetery.
Filmography
Dramas +Broadcasting CompanyYearName of DramaKBS1981DalmuriKBS21982Match Made in HeavenKBS1983The FoundationKBS1984DongnimmunKBS11987LandMBC1989The Second RepublicMBC1989500 Years of JoseonKBS11990Seoul DdukbaegiKBS21990TV's The Art of WarKBS11992Your Name is Hyo-JaSBS1992A Love Without FearKBS11996New Generation Report: Adults Don't KnowKBS2000Commi FairyKBS2000The Clinic for Married Couples: Love and WarMBC2002Man in CrisisKBS22009My Too Perfect SonsKBS22011My Love, My FamilyJTBC2019The Light In Your EyesJTBC2023King The Land
Movie(s) +YearName of Movie1981Ban Geum-Ryeon2012Confession of Murder
References
External links