Jeon Ok

Jeon Ok (; April 2, 1911 – October 22, 1969) was a Korean actress and singer. Jeon was referred to as "Queen of Tears" for her excellence at acting for tragic dramas.

Biography Jeon Ok was born Jeon Deok-rye on April 2, 1911 in Hamhung, Kankyōnan Province, Korea, Empire of Japan (now South Hamgyong Province, North Korea). When Jeon was 15 years old, she was introduced to the film industry by her brother. Jeon aspired to be an actress in Towolhoe , her debut role was as a supporting actress in the 1927 film Jal itgeora , directed by Na Woon-gyu. Jeon gained popularity after taking a lead role in Arirang Gogae , based on Park Seung-hui and produced by Towolhoe. However, when the theatre closed, she moved to Joseon Yeongeuksa in 1930. Jeon was noted for her monologues as well as her tragic performances which often brought audiences to tears, so she was dubbed the "Queen of Tragedy" or "Queen of Tears". After the liberation of Korea, Jeon was mainly active in film.

Personal life Jeon Ok married Kang Hong-shik, an actor, film director and singer. Kang Hong-shik and Jeon Ok were the first married couple in Korean entertainment history. Their daughters, Kang Hyo-shil and Kang Hyo-son, became their parents' step. Later, Jeon and Kang divorced. Kang went over to North Korea along with Hyo-son who later became a famous actress in North Korea. Kang Hong-shik was honored as "Merited artist" as well. Meanwhile, Hyo-sil married Choi Moo-ryong, a popular actor of the 1960s and 1970s. Choi then had an affair with Kim Ji-mee, the most popular Korean actress of that time, so that Choi and Kang divorced in 1962. Jeon's grandson is Choi Min-soo between Choi Moo-ryong and Hyo-shil, who is also a famous active actor.

Jeon met her second husband Choe Il, who was a former football coach of Pyongyang Football Team and also engaged in her entertainment business when she reestablished Namhae yeneungdae into in 1946.

Jeon ran an orchid in Deoksong-ri, Byeollae-myeon, Yangju, Gyeonggi Province. Jeon died of her chronic diseases, high blood pressure, kidney failure on October 22, 1969.

Filmography Note; the whole list is referenced. English titleKorean titleRomanizationYearRoleDirector Woman in the Deluxe Suite Teughosil yeojasonnim The Second Wife Huchwidaeg A Swordsman in the Twilight Hwanghonui Geomgaek A Heavenly Peach Flower Cheondohwa A Traveling King Nageune Imgeum Mountain San A Water Mill Mullebanga The Dead and the Alive Jugeun Jawa San Ja Hwang, Man of Wealth at Mapo Mapo Saneun Hwangbuja The Door of the Body Yukche-ui Mun The Sino-Japanese War and Queen Min, the Heroine Cheong-iljeonjaenggwa yeogeol Minbi Just Watch What We Do and See Dugoman Bose-yo My Wife Is Confessing Anaeneun Gobaekhanda Don't Sing, Water Bird Uljimara Mulsae-ya For My Husband Mangbuseok Goryeojang Goryeojang Rice Ssal King Cheoljong and Bongnyeo Cheoljonghwa Bongnyeo My Old Jealous Wife Gangjjasodong Black Hood Heukdu-geon Mother's Love Moseong-ae A Sad Cry Bulleodo Daedab-eomneun Ireumi-yeo Prince Yeonsan Yeonsan-gun Over the Hill Jeo eondeog-eul neom-eoseo A Revival Jaesaeng Nameless Stars Ireumeomneun Byeoldeul A Beautiful Woman Areumdaun Yeoin Terms of Marriage Gyeolhonjogeon A Blood Bamboo Hanmalpungungwa Minchungjeonggong The Tears of Mokpo Mokpo-ui nunmul 1958The Lullaby Jajangga The Tears Nunmul An Empty Dream Hwaryuchunmong The Snow Falling Night Nunnalineun bam Chunhyang-jeon Chunhyangjeon A Night at a Harbor Hanggu-ui il-ya The Lost Youth Ilh-eobeolin cheongchun The Wave of Love Aejeongpado Mr. Soldier Byeongjeongnim Suicide Squad of the Watchtower Manglu-ui gyeolsadae Miles Away from Happiness] Bok-ji-man-li Ok-nyeo Oknyeo Looking for Love - Going across River Doomankang Salang-eul chaj-aseo Farewell Jal issgeola Seekers of Paradise Nag-won-eul chajneun mulideul

Awards 1958, Korean Stage Art Association Awards