SEOUL — For four decades, actress Seo Yi-sook has built a career defined by a relentless spirit and a profound dedication to her craft. From her early days as a badminton player to her rise as a celebrated "scene-stealer," Seo's story is a testament to the power of unwavering conviction. In a recent interview, she shared candid reflections on her path, a journey marked by both triumph and tribulation.
Seo’s life in the arts began unexpectedly. After a decisive defeat at a national badminton competition, she realized her future lay elsewhere. A serendipitous encounter with the play Agnes of God in 1986 ignited a new passion, leading her to knock on the doors of the Suwon Arts Theater. Her natural aptitude for elocution quickly set her apart, and within three years, she won an acting award at a local theater festival, propelling her to the vibrant theater scene in Seoul.
In Seoul, she found a home at the Michoo Theater Company, where she underwent rigorous and holistic training that honed her mind and body. This period, which included collaboration with international directors, instilled in her a deep understanding of acting as a physical art form. “I learned how a single angle of the body can change an emotion,” she said. “Theater is an art expressed more through the body than words.”
Her twenty-year period of anonymity, she asserts, was never a source of sorrow. Instead, it was a time of growth and quiet confidence. This resilience paid off handsomely in 2004 with her breakout role in the play Bloody Merchants of Heo Sam-kwan. Her performance as Heo Sam-kwan, a character both brazen and dignified, resonated deeply with her acting style and earned her the prestigious Dong-A and Hee-seo Theater Awards. She recalls the Hee-seo Award as a moment of profound healing, a recognition of two decades of tireless work.
Just as her career was gaining momentum, Seo faced a significant personal challenge: a diagnosis of thyroid cancer. She handled the entire process alone to spare her mother worry. The emotional toll, however, came not from the surgery but from having to withdraw from a play she was preparing for. “I didn’t cry during the cancer surgery, but I sobbed then. That was my emotional rock bottom,” she confessed.
This moment of despair, however, marked a turning point. A chance connection led to her television debut in the 2010 series Jejungwon, where she played Empress Myeongseong. Her stage-polished skills in voice and emotional nuance made a powerful impression, quickly expanding her career to the small screen.
Seo’s acting philosophy is rooted in a selfless approach. She believes an actor must move beyond personal emotion and consider the broader context of the play, the intentions of the writer, and the performance of their fellow actors. She lives by the conviction that an actor truly finds their footing after ten years on stage, a testament to her steadfast commitment.
Her personal discipline is as impressive as her professional dedication. She runs 10 kilometers daily, viewing it as a way to conquer her own limitations. To maintain her mental sharpness, she is a voracious reader, a habit that fueled her preparation for roles like the one in the play Please Look After Mom, for which she read all of the author Shin Kyung-sook’s works.
The actress, who once felt awkward introducing herself as an actress, now does so with pride. “An actor is a precious being,” she states. “You have to see yourself as valuable for others to treat you that way.”
Her versatility was cemented in the public consciousness with her unforgettable "one-person, six-roles" performance in the 2019 drama Hotel del Luna. She is currently lending her talents to the spin-off Grand Hotel and the culinary drama Forkless Chef.
When asked what defines a good actor, she points to the ability to "persuade with their acting," citing actors like Kim Hye-ja and Lee Byung-hun as prime examples. Recently, Seo has navigated the profound grief of losing both her mother and her beloved dog. This experience, she says, has deepened her empathy for others’ sorrow and given her a new perspective on the meaning of life.
Her advice to aspiring actors is simple yet profound: "An actor is studying even when they are breathing." She urges them to find meaning in every detail, as this is the true essence of sensory training. Though her career now thrives on screen, her heart remains with the stage. “Theater is my origin,” she insists. “I will definitely return.”
Seo Yi-sook concludes with a statement that encapsulates her journey: “What kind of actress do I want to be? I want to keep my senses sharp, act happily, and be an actress who persuades with her performance.” It's a sentiment that speaks volumes about a life dedicated to the art of conviction.
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