Kim Ja Ok "Family is number 1": "National mother" died of cancer, once criticized Seungri directly

Kim Ja Ok is one of the few older actors whose faces and names are remembered by foreign fans. It is the image of a woman with gentle beauty, a constant smile on her lips. Even when she was sick, she remained optimistic.

In the entertainment industry full of pressure and harshness, Korean artists have not been able to withstand the derision and heavy criticism from the public. Therefore, only by looking to death can they feel they can live peacefully.

Besides, there are still some artists who are always optimistic and devoted to their acting career but suffer from serious diseases. Their departure not only leaves infinite regret for relatives, friends, colleagues and especially the audience who have always loved them, but also a great loss for the film industry of the country.

One of them is Kim Ja Ok, who is known as the "national mother" on the Korean screen.

Who is Kim Ja Ok?

Artist Kim Ja Ok was born on 11/11/1951 in the coastal city of Busan. She is the third daughter in a family of 2 sons and 5 daughters. Her father is poet Kim Sang Hwa, once a music teacher at a high school in Busan.

At the age of 21, Kim Ja Ok was selected for the second acting class of Korean MBC.

Since starting her career in the 1970s, she has been dubbed the flower of the Korean film industry because of her radiant face and characteristic sunny smile.

Actress Kim Ja Ok, when she was a rookie in the Korean film industry, possessed a beauty that made the opposite person unable to take her eyes off.

Having studied film at the prestigious Hanyang University and possessing outstanding acting talent, Kim Ja Ok's fame quickly spread throughout Korea. She is favored to take on many main and supporting roles, even though she is just a young new face.

Some movie works that left Kim Ja Ok's mark are "Man on Top of a Roof", "The Woman Who Stole the Sun", "Under an Umbrella"...

In the period from 1975 to 1979, she was continuously honored at the prestigious Baeksang Arts Awards ceremony in categories such as Best TV Actress, Most Favorite TV Actress, Best Movie Actress.

Kim Ja Ok has been by boat twice, the last years of her life she lived with her second husband, middle-aged male singer Oh Seung Geun. She has 1 daughter and 1 son. On the day of her daughter's wedding, she was so happy that she cried. His son studied composing and editing music.

Talking about Kim Ja Ok's lifetime roles, it is impossible not to mention the role in "Family is number one", "My name is Kim Sam Soon", "Prince No. 1 Coffee Shop", "Farmer's Son" ... very familiar to audiences who love Korean films.

From "Tear Queen" in the movie to "National Mother" is a whole journey of dedication to the acting career of the late actress Kim Ja Ok.

In 2008, she had to undergo surgery for colon cancer. She suffered from cancer to panic disorder but never gave up fighting. During the treatment period, the actress was still acting, still passionate about each role she took on.

In the eyes of colleagues, Kim Ja Ok is always a shining example. She is gentle with her juniors, friendly with her classmates. That's why when I heard that she passed away, many artists in the Korean entertainment industry, from young to old, came to burn incense, pray, and mourn her passing.

Kim Ja Ok is gone, but the joy she brought to the audience will never stop. On the screen, she left many memorable moments that touched many people when recalling.

Karaoke scene in "I'm Kim Sam Soon"

Throughout her acting career, Kim Ja Ok has become the mother of a long list of actors, but a tempered mother is far from her small body.

One of the most interesting stories in I Am Kim Sam Soon is probably when Kim Ja Ok was about to test her future son-in-law to see if Hyun Bin treated her daughter badly. By... inviting each other to sing karaoke. And, it was a great moment when we got to see it on film.

"Seungri is not funny at all"

During a guest appearance on SBS's Strong Heart, Kim Ja Ok frankly commented, the show is too boring.

While, sitting in the front row, Big Bang's Seungri is proud that he is "the king of communication", even sharing about the academy he founded. When he was introducing, Kim Ja Ok interrupted, after being silent for a while and a little confused: "Seungri speaks fluently, right? He's been talking for about 20 minutes, but everything he said is not funny at all."

Stay optimistic despite being diagnosed with cancer

Despite being diagnosed with cancer, Kim Ja Ok continues to act in films and considers it as cancer therapy, because she is always happy to do what she loves.

Appearing as a guest on an MBC program in 2013, Kim Ja Ok recounted the words of a pastor who told her: "How do people die? Stroke Traffic accidents. Or something like that. They can't say a word before they die. No one can predict. There is absolutely no preparation.

Proudly dancing with my son on TV

Also in Strong Heart, for the first time we see Kim Ja Ok dancing on stage and not on film, with his son, with a happy and proud smile. Especially when, mother and daughter's dance partner is G-Dragon.

Your beautiful sister Your sister is more beautiful than flowers

Since Kim Ja Ok decided to join the reality show "Noonas over Flowers", she has shown an extremely optimistic attitude when she herself is battling cancer.

During the long filming journey in Croatia, there was a time when she worried about the treatment. But then, she encouraged herself: "It's really time for me to change. I will be traveling everywhere".

"Princess" Kim Ja Ok

That's when Kim Ja Ok debuted as a singer with the song "Princess is Lonely" (Lonely Princess).

Something that seems strange but is a very unique moment for this veteran actress. Kim Ja Ok appeared on music programs to perform a special song.

Park Sung Hoon fell in love with Song Hye Kyo, his loving eyes said it all, Lee Min Ho was left out? JLO15:17:24 24/07/2023Although the 2023 Blue Dragon Awards ceremony has been closed for a few days, the information related to the awards night and especially Song Hye Kyo is still enthusiastically welcomed by the audience.