A Member of TBC's Third Class, Active in Dramas, Radio, and Variety Shows
Loved by the Public for Her Narration in "Tom and Jerry"
Voice actor Song Dosoon, who connected with the public for many years through radio and animation, passed away on the last day of last year. According to her family, Song died of a chronic illness at around 10 p.m. on December 31 at Konkuk University Medical Center in Seoul. She was 77 years old.
Voice actor Song Dosoon passed away on the last day of last year. Photo by KBS Broadcasting
Born in Hwanghae Province in 1949, Song graduated from Jungang Girls' High School and entered Chung-Ang University to study theater and film, but began her broadcasting career before completing her studies. She started her voice acting career in 1967 as part of the third class of voice actors at Tongyang Broadcasting Company (TBC). After the media consolidation in 1980, she moved to KBS, where she continued her work. She demonstrated a wide range of acting skills in radio dramas and broadcast plays such as "What It Means to Live," "Because I Love You," the "Dalsu Series," and "Wayside Station."
She was also a prominent radio host. She gained listeners' affection with her friendly style on programs such as "Single Bungle Show," "Evening Hope Songs," and "Cheerful Conte." In particular, after the launch of Traffic Broadcasting System (TBS), she co-hosted "Evening Road Together" with fellow voice actor Bae Hansung from 1990 to 2007, becoming a companion for commuters on their way home. During this period, her clear and lively hosting earned her the nickname "Smart Lady."
Her most widely recognized work among the public was as a narrator for animation. She provided distinctive commentary for "Tom and Jerry," which aired on MBC, boosting the show's popularity. The version featuring her voice is still regarded as a classic. In addition, she participated in many other animations, including "101 Dalmatians" and "My Friend Dragon."
She was also active in TV entertainment programs, appearing on shows such as "Sebakwi" and "Empathy Talk Show: Come Play," where she shared stories from her broadcasting career and life. In 2015, she was appointed as an honorary ambassador for Korean tourism. Together with Bae Hansung and Yang Jiwoon, she established the Special Speech Academy, serving as its director and dedicating herself to nurturing the next generation.
In recognition of her lifelong contributions, Song received the Grand Prize in the Radio category at the Korea Broadcasting Awards in 1975 and was awarded the Order of Cultural Merit (Bo-gwan) in 2020. During her lifetime, she candidly spoke about her broadcasting career and the importance of health management following thyroid cancer surgery, as shared in broadcast documentaries and interviews.
She is survived by her husband Park Heemin and two sons, Park Junhyuk (an actor) and Park Jinjae. The funeral will be held in Room 23 of the funeral hall at Asan Medical Center in Seoul, with the procession scheduled for 6:20 a.m. on January 3.
© The Asia Business Daily(www.asiae.co.kr). All rights reserved.
