Jeon Mu-song

Jeon Moo-song (; born September 28, 1941) is a South Korean actor. Jeon began his career on stage in the play 'Chunhyangjeon' in 1964 and has since been active in Korean theatre, film and television. In 1977, he performed as the title character in Crown Prince Hamyeol (an adaptation of Hamlet) at La MaMa in New York City, which marked the first time a Korean theatre troupe had traveled outside Korea. Jeon also won two trophies from the Grand Bell Awards for his portrayal of an eccentric monk in Im Kwon-taek's 1981 film Mandala.

Early life and education Jeon was born on September 28, 1941, in Nae-dong, Jinsen (modern-day Incheon), Korea, during the period of Japanese rule. He was the eldest of seven children born into a working-class fishing family. His father originated from Haeju, Kōkai Province (now part of Hwanghae Province), Korea, and his mother is from Seosan, Chungcheongnam-do. During his childhood, Jeon frequently visited his maternal relatives in Seosan. His uncle, a farmer and storyteller, performed one-man shows that significantly influenced Jeon. Supported by his maternal aunt and uncle, Jeon was the only child in his family to attend kindergarten.

In the 1950s, Jeon gained admission to Incheon Middle School, a prestigious institution at the time. His enrollment was a source of significant pride for his father, who hosted a celebration for local residents to mark the achievement. Although Jeon intended to continue playing baseball, the school lacked an established team. He organized a baseball club with fellow students; however, the group was soon disbanded by the principal, who argued that athletic pursuits would distract from academic responsibilities.

Before beginning high school, Jeon worked briefly at the Ae Kwan Theater, where he assisted a friend employed as a signboard designer. His initial duties involved whitewashing the boards for new advertisements. Though he resigned upon starting high school, his interest in the arts persisted. He frequently bypassed school hours to visit the theater district in Sinpo-dong, changing into civilian clothes to watch films and live theater. At Ae Kwan Theater he watched movies such as "Break Through the Wall" and "Long Live Freedom", along with stage productions by the Yeoseong Gukgeuk Company and Lim Chun-Aeng's Gukgeuk. He was particularly moved by the play "Princess Nangrang and Prince Hodong" and remembered "Blue Bird" with great clarity. His exposure to cinematic works like "Stagecoach" and "Samson and Delilah" eventually solidified his desire to pursue a career in acting. Reflecting on this experience, Jeon stated that the sight of the iron powder made him feel as though he were rusting. He questioned his career path and eventually resigned from the company to pursue his original ambition in the arts. |group=note Founded by the playwright and director Yoo Chi-jin, the academy served as the predecessor to the current Department of Theater and Film at the Seoul Institute of the Arts.

Career

1960s to 1970s: Beginning with Dong-rang Repertory Theater Dongrang recognized Jeon's talent and gave him the opportunity to play the role of Lee Mong-ryeong in the 1963 graduate performance of "Chunhyangjeon". The following year, Jeon played the lead character in "Prince of Horses", a play that commemorated the founding of the Drama Center theater company. In 1970, he returned to the company after completing three years of military service. However, he struggled with the role of Stanley in Harold Pinter's "Birthday Party", which was completely different from the historical or realism dramas he was used to perform. He was ultimately replaced by Shin Goo, and this decision left him feeling angry and frustrated. He ended up drinking heavily and protested against the director Yoo Deok-hyung, causing a commotion that shook the entire troupe.

During their conversation, Dongrang told Jeon this: "You have one great weapon that other actors do not have, and that is compassion. When you stand on stage, you make the audience feel compassion,' he said. 'I was thinking of you like that, but would it be okay if you acted like that? Be human first. That way, you will become a great actor." This conversation had a profound impact on Jeon, and he began to improve his attitude from that day forward.

The repertoire of the world tour included "Tae" and "Prince Ha Myeol", an adaptation by Ahn Min-soo from Shakespeare's Hamlet. "Tae", which was announced in the spring and fall of 1974 and the fall of 1975, portrays the history of the early Yi Dynasty surrounding the usurpation of the throne and the tragedy of Saksin. Before their departure, the troupe presented one of their tour works, "Tae", written by Tae-seok Oh and directed by Ahn Min-soo, from February 22 to 24 at the annex of the Seoul Civic Center. This event was sponsored by JoongAng Ilbo and Dongyang Broadcasting.

1980s: Theater In 1981, Jeon became widely known to the general public by playing the role of a monk with Ahn Seong-ki in director Im Kwon-taek's film 'Mandala'. "When I filmed with director Lim, he showed respect to the extras and supporting actors. I felt a sense of respect as a human being. If Yoo Chi-jin, Hae-rang Lee, and Young-woong Lim paved the way for me in theater, director Lim is like that in film."

Since 2006, he has been active as an artistic director of the Gyeonggi Provincial Theater Company. In this literary concert, he narrates Kim Dong-in's potato, Hyun Jin-geon's lucky day, and Love Letter with Superintendent B.

2020s The play Life Delivery, which commemorated the 60th anniversary of Jeon Moo-song's debut and his 80th birthday, premiered from February 4 to 7, 2020 at the Palgong Hall of the Daegu Culture and Arts Center. Co-hosted by the Daegu Culture and Arts Center and Theatre Company Haru, the production depicted the lives of a former vice principal and a barber working as senior delivery couriers after their retirement. Jeon and Kang In-deok shared the role of Lee Jin-beop, the former vice principal, while Choi Jong-won performed the role of Jang Ga-wi, the barber. The production was overseen by Kim Gun-pyo, a professor of theater and film at Daekyung University.

In 2022, Jeon participated in the documentary I Love What I See, which explores the history and cultural significance of the Ae Kwan Theater. Established in 1895, the venue is recognized as the first theater in Korea to be founded by Korean nationals, representing a significant link to Jeon's early formative experiences in the arts.

Personal life Jeon married Lee Ki-soon, a friend of his younger sister, in 1970. The couple had two children: a daughter, and a son. Due to persistent financial difficulties, the children were temporarily raised by Lee's family. During this period, Lee supported the household through various informal jobs, including transporting goods from weaving factories to sell at Namdaemun Market.

2022 Life Is Beautiful 2024 Dead Man Television series Year Title Role Notes 1981 First Republic Yi Gwangsu 1983 The Foundation Yi Saek 1984 500 Years of Joseon: The Ume Tree in the Midst of the Snow Han Hwak 1986 Wonhyo Daesa Wonhyo 1987 Eldest Sister-in-law 1989 Wangrung's Kin Hwang Il-cheon 1990 Freezing Point In Search of og Earthling 1992 The Beginning of a New Day 1994 Police Oh Hye-seong Adam's City 1995 Your Voice Jung-hoon 1996 Colors (episode 3: "The Reason Gray Is Beautiful") Reporting for Duty General Cha Hyung-oh, 6th Infantry Division Im Kkeok-jeong Seo Rim 1998 Until the Azalea Blooms The King and the Queen King Munjong 1999 Queen Jang-mi's father Kuk-hee Jang Tae-hwa 2000 Look Back in Anger Chief of police Taejo Wang Geon Choi Seung-woo 2002 Zoo People Go Dae-sik Rustic Period Governor-general Saito 2003 Age of Warriors Dudueul A River Flows in Everyone's Mind Gyeong-jae 2004 People of the Water Flower Village Yoo Joon-tae 2007 Several Questions That Make Us Happy 2008 Bichunmoo (voice) 2009 Empress Cheonchu Lee Ji-baek Two Wives Yoon Jang-soo The Queen Returns Chairman Kang 2010 Quiz of God 2 (guest) First Marriage Elder Hwang 2011 Umjine Jinsa Kim Brain Kim Shin-woo (guest) Insu, the Queen Mother King Sejong 2012 The King of Dramas Watanabe 2013 A Tale of Two Sisters Han Ki-seok 2019 Birthday Letter old Kim Moo-gil 2020 Money Game Elder Kwak Nobody Knows Kwon Jae-chun The King: Eternal Monarch Lee Jong-in / Prince Buyeong 2022 Tomorrow Lee Young-cheon Cameo If You Wish Upon Me Mr. Byun May It Please the Court Jang Byung-chun

Variety show Year Title Notes 1997–1998 Host 2011–present The Clinic for Married Couples: Love and War - Season 2 Chief judge 2013 Onya Onya (Yes Yes) Cast member

Theater

As member of Dongnang Repertoire Theater Company

As part of Dongnang Repertoire World Tour + Theater performances as part of Dongrang Repertoire World Tour Year Title Role Theater Date English Korean 1977 Dongnang Repertory Theater Company's World Tour Return Commemorative Performance — Lifecord 동랑레퍼터리극단 해외순회기념공연: 태 Shin Suk-ju Civic Hall Annex building February 22–24 Dongnang Repertory Theater Company's World Tour Return Commemorative Performance — Prince Ha-myeol (Hamlet) 동랑레퍼터리극단 해외순회기념공연: 하멸태자 Crown Prince Hamyeol tour of 16 cities in 3 countries in the United States, France and the Netherlands March 9–May 30

As member of NTOK

Theater play with Sanwoollim Small Theater

Awards and nominations