A Voice That Defined Childhood
Hey everyone, I have some sad news to share from the Korean entertainment world today. Song Do-soon, a legendary voice actress whose voice is etched in the memories of millions of Koreans, has passed away at the age of 77. According to her family, she passed away on the evening of December 31st after a long battle with illness.
If you grew up in Korea anytime from the 70s onwards, you absolutely know her voice. She was most famously the narrator for the Korean dub of ‘Tom and Jerry’. What’s amazing is that the original American version doesn’t have a narrator! Her witty, energetic commentary was added specifically for the Korean broadcast, and it became so iconic that for us, ‘Tom and Jerry’ is inseparable from Song Do-soon’s voice. She even returned to narrate the 2021 live-action ‘Tom and Jerry’ movie.
More Than Just ‘Tom and Jerry’
While ‘Tom and Jerry’ was her most famous role, her career was incredibly long and varied. She started as a voice actress in 1967 and worked on numerous radio dramas and other animated shows like ‘101 Dalmatians’. She was also a huge radio star! For 17 years, from 1990 to 2007, she co-hosted a super popular evening radio show called ‘Together on the Evening Road’. It was on this show that she earned her famous nickname, “Ttok-sori Ajumma” (똑소리 아줌마), which roughly translates to the “Sharp-Witted Lady” or “Smart Lady.” It perfectly captured her warm, intelligent, and clear-speaking personality.
A Respected Figure On and Off the Air
Beyond her voice work, Song Do-soon was a frequent and beloved guest on many TV talk shows and variety programs like ‘Three Wheels’ and ‘Come to Play’. She had this amazing ability to connect with people of all ages with her humor and candid stories. She wasn’t just a celebrity; she felt like a cool, wise aunt to the nation.
Her dedication to her craft and to broadcasting in Korea was recognized with some of the country’s highest honors, including the Grand Prize at the Korea Broadcasting Awards in 1975 and the Order of Cultural Merit in 2020. She even founded a speech academy with fellow voice actors to help train the next generation.
Remembering a Legend
The news of her passing on New Year’s Day has brought a wave of sadness across Korea. Many people, including fellow celebrities, are sharing their memories and paying tribute to her online, remembering her as a “great star” who gave them beautiful childhood memories. Her voice was a part of the daily lives of so many for over 50 years. It’s truly the end of an era. Our thoughts are with her family, including her husband and two sons, one of whom is actor Park Joon-hyuk.
