The beloved voice actor Kang Hee-seon, who for many years voiced Bong Mi-seon, Shin-chan's mom in the hit animation Crayon Shin-chan, has passed away.
On the morning of the 6th, Kang Hee-seon's funeral procession was held solemnly at the funeral hall of Seoul St. Mary's Hospital. Her final resting place is Yongin Park Honestone. Kang passed away around 2:10 a.m. on the 4th due to an illness. She was 65.
Kang was diagnosed with colon cancer in 2021 and later learned it had metastasized to her liver, beginning a long battle with the disease. When she appeared on the tvN variety show You Quiz on the Block in 2024, she shared, "It's been four years since I started treatment, and I've undergone chemotherapy 47 times," drawing an outpouring of support.
Even amid grueling treatments, Kang stayed at the mic. At the time, she said, "I live each day thinking today could always be the last," and "I love the job of being a voice actor so much," leaving a deep resonance. Speaking about Crayon Shin-chan, she added, "I'm in so much pain that I don't know how I would have endured if even Shin-chan hadn't been there," revealing her extraordinary affection for the series.
As her condition worsened, Kang stepped down from the role of Bong Mi-seon last year for health reasons, concluding a 26-year run. It was a heartbreaking moment for fans who had long associated her voice with Shin-chan's mom.
Debuting as part of the 10th class of the TBC Voice Acting Troupe in 1979, Kang continued her career as part of the 15th class of KBS voice actors after the 1980 broadcast consolidation, establishing herself as one of Korea's leading voice talents. She worked on numerous animation dubs and, in Crayon Shin-chan, voiced both Bong Mi-seon and Maeng-gu, earning widespread love.
After the sad news broke, tributes poured in. The production team of You Quiz on the Block wrote on their official social media, "Our forever Shin-chan's mom, voice actor Kang Hee-seon. Thanks to you, our childhoods were happy. Thank you for lighting up the world with your beautiful voice. We extend our deepest condolences."