Kim Hae-sook (김해숙; 金海淑) is a South Korean actress born on December 30, 1955, in Busan. Active since the late 1970s, she is one of South Korea’s most respected actresses. Thanks to her recurring portrayals of caring mothers or strong-willed matriarchs, she has earned the nickname «Mother of the Nation,» while also demonstrating a remarkable ability to break free from this image in darker or more complex roles.
Throughout her career, she has made a name for herself in both film and television. On the big screen, she has appeared in notable films such as Thirst, The Thieves, Hope, Assassination, The Throne, Miss, Tunnel, Along with the Gods and Alienoid. On television, she has had one hit after another with Winter Sonata, Autumn in My Heart, Pinocchio, Hotel del Luna, Start-Up, Tomorrow and Under the Queen's Umbrella, where her portrayal of the Queen Mother has been particularly praised.
In recent years, Kim Hae-sook has continued to play a key role in Korean productions. In 2024, she will take on major roles in No Gain No Love, Mr. Plankton and Who Is She. She continues this momentum in 2025 with the political thriller Tempest, before joining the cast of The WonderFools, in which she plays Kim Jeon-bok, and the historical romantic comedy My Royal Nemesis.
Having won numerous awards throughout her career, Kim Hae-sook is considered one of South Korea’s greatest actresses. Her elegance, dramatic intensity, and ability to bring depth to each of her characters make her a key figure in the Korean film and television industry.
