‘Crayon Shin-chan’ Mother’s Voice Actor Kang Hee-sun Dies

Voice actor Kang Hee-sun, widely recognized for her distinctive subway announcements and as the beloved voice of Misae Nohara in the animated series "Crayon Shin-chan," passed away on April 4. She was 66 years old.

Kang died at Inje University Sanggye-baek Hospital due to a chronic illness. A graduate of Seoul Institute of the Arts, she initially pursued acting before transitioning to voice acting. She joined TBC Voice Actors' Association in 1979, becoming part of KBS's 15th class after broadcasting consolidation in 1980. Throughout her career, she served as president of the Voice Actors' Association and senior deputy director of the Korea Voice Actors' Association.

Her career began with animation dubbing in "Anne of Green Gables" (1986). During the golden age of foreign film dubbing in the 1980s and 1990s, she lent her voice to Hollywood stars such as Sharon Stone, Michelle Pfeiffer, Julia Roberts, and Nicole Kidman. In a 2024 appearance on tvN's "You Quiz on the Block," she described Sharon Stone as "seductive without being sticky" and noted that Julia Roberts "always opens her mouth before speaking."

Since 1996, Kang had been the voice of the Seoul and Busan subway announcements, a role she recalled as challenging due to its lack of vocal variation on "You Quiz on the Block." Her portrayal of "Crayon Shin-chan's" mother earned her widespread recognition. Kang received multiple accolades, including the KBS Voice Acting Award for Best Foreign Film Acting in 2002, the KBS Voice Acting Award for Best Acting in 2005, and the Prime Minister's Commendation at the Popular Culture and Arts Awards in 2018.

Despite being diagnosed with metastatic colon cancer in 2021 and given a two-year prognosis, Kang remained dedicated to her craft. She underwent 47 rounds of chemotherapy while still completing a 14-hour and 30-minute recording session for "Crayon Shin-chan: Mononoke Ninja Chinpūden." She is survived by her son, Ahn Eun-seok, CEO of the independent film investment and production company Bon Film, and her daughter, painter Ahn Ji-sun. The funeral service was held at Seoul St. Mary's Hospital, with interment at Yongin Memorial Park.

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Sharon Stone is seductive without being sticky. Julia Roberts always opens her mouth before speaking.