Beloved Voice Actor Song Do-soon Dies at 77 After Battling Cancer
A celebrated figure in South Korean broadcasting, Song Do-soon, has died after a prolonged struggle with illness. The veteran voice actor passed away at Konkuk University Hospital in Seoul around 10 p.m. on December 31, 2023, at the age of 77.
Song Do-soon’s career spanned over five decades, beginning in 1967 with TBC as a third-generation voice actor. Following a media merger in 1980, she continued her work at KBS, becoming a familiar voice across radio and television. She was particularly renowned for her engaging commentary on popular radio programs like ‘Single Bungle Show’ and ‘Cheerful Conte,’ and for her work on the iconic MBC cartoon ‘Tom and Jerry.’
For 17 years, Song Do-soon captivated audiences as the host of ‘The Evening Road Together’ on TBS, alongside fellow voice actor Bae Han-seong. Her warm presence and distinctive voice earned her the affectionate nickname ‘Ttoksori Auntie.’ Her contributions to the broadcasting industry were formally recognized with the grand prize in the radio category at the Korea Broadcasting Awards in 1975, and again in 2020 with the Archival Culture Medal.
The late voice actor had previously battled thyroid cancer and expressed a desire to retire while still actively working. However, her passing ultimately came after a fight with blood cancer. Singer Namgung Ok-bun publicly mourned the loss, describing Song Do-soon as “a big star in the broadcasting industry” who had been in a coma for ten days. “The older sister who led everyone like a captain with a strong shadow and a loud sound, has left in a hurry… no, after fighting for a long time,” Ok-bun shared.
Fellow voice actor Bae Han-seong revealed a poignant detail about Song Do-soon’s final wishes, telling Yonhap News that she requested visitors not come due to severe hair loss from treatment. “I said several times that I would go to visit the patient, but they told me never to come. I was disappointed, but it turned out that my hair loss was so severe that I didn’t want to show it,” Han-seong recounted. He added, “I had the will to fight the disease, so I thought I should eat something delicious after I recovered. I was shocked to hear that he passed away.”
The news of Song Do-soon’s death has prompted an outpouring of grief from fans, with many sharing memories of her voice bringing joy to their childhoods. “Thanks to you, I had a happy childhood,” one netizen commented, while another wrote, “Your voice is vivid. May the deceased rest in peace.”
Funeral services for Song Do-soon are being held in room 23 of the funeral hall at Asan Hospital in Seoul. The funeral will take place at 6:20 a.m. on January 3rd, with the burial site located at Seoul Memorial Park.
