Jang Mi-ja

Biographical Overview & Key Facts

Subject:

Jang Mi-ja

Role / Field:

Esteemed South Korean actress and voice actor known for her versatile stage and screen presence.

Born:

1941-02-03

Died:

2025-01-27

Century / Era:

1941s Historical Era

Database Source:

2Day Chrono-Wiki & Wikipedia CC BY-SA 4.0

Origins & Early Life

Jang Mi-ja (Korean: 장미자; Hanja: 張美子; February 3, 1941 – January 27, 2025) was a South Korean actress and voice actor. Beginning her career in around 1959, she debuted in the play Without the Pain of Breaking the Shell in 1962 and joined DBS Dong-A Broadcasting (which was later merged into the sixth public recruitment of KBS) as a part of their first generation of voice actors in 1963. In 1981, she began her screen career in the movie "Ban Geum-ryeon". She was nicknamed "The Nation's Mother-in-Law" after her portrayal of a mother-in-law in the drama The Clinic for Married Couples: Love and War. Jang was also known for her extensive contributions to theater.

Career & Major Achievements

She was a member of the Theater Actors' Association and led the theater company Samgaksan. Her stage performances included plays such as One Flew Over the Cuckoo's Nest, Drying Peppers, Golden Pond, and Human Time. In addition to her stage work, Jang appeared in several well-known television dramas such as Dalmuri, Land, The Second Republic, The Sons of Sol Pharmacy House, Believe in Love, and The Light in Your Eyes. In 2023, she appeared in the JTBC drama King the Land, in what would become one of her final screen roles. Jang was married to Park Woong, a fellow voice actor and actor.

Enduring Legacy & Impact

The couple frequently collaborated on stage productions, notably performing together in the play Dancing Silver Portrait in 2024. They had two sons; Park Kang and Park Joon. Their second son, Park Joon, has pursued a career in acting. Jang died on January 27, 2025 at the Seoul National University Hospital due to a chronic illness. Her funeral was held on January 29, 2025, at the Seoul City Cemetery.

Chronological Milestones & Life Events

1. 1941 (1941-02-03): Birth of Jang Mi-ja — Esteemed South Korean actress and voice actor known for her versatile stage and screen presence.
2. 1959: 1959 Milestone — Beginning her career in around 1959, she debuted in the play Without the Pain of Breaking the Shell in 1962 and joined DBS Dong-A Broadcasting (which was later merged into the sixth public recruitment of KBS) as a part of their first generation of voice actors in 1963.
3. 1981: 1981 Milestone — In 1981, she began her screen career in the movie "Ban Geum-ryeon".
4. 2023: 2023 Milestone — In 2023, she appeared in the JTBC drama King the Land, in what would become one of her final screen roles.
5. 2024: 2024 Milestone — The couple frequently collaborated on stage productions, notably performing together in the play Dancing Silver Portrait in 2024.
6. 2025 (2025-01-27): Passing & Historical Legacy — Jang Mi-ja passed away on 2025-01-27, leaving an enduring historical legacy.

Historical Fact-Check Quiz: Jang Mi-ja

True or False: “Jang Mi-ja was only famous for roles portraying mothers-in-law in television dramas.”

Answer (FALSE ❌): While she gained the nickname 'The Nation's Mother-in-Law,' her career also included significant stage performances and diverse dramatic roles.

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Frequently Asked Questions about Jang Mi-ja