Jeon Ok (Korean: 전옥; April 2, 1911 – October 22, 1969)[1] was a Korean actress and singer. Jeon was referred to as "Queen of Tears" for her excellence at acting for tragic dramas.[2]
Biography
Jeon Ok was born Jeon Deok-rye on April 2, 1911 in Hamhung, Kankyōnan-dō, 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 (토월회), her debut role was as a supporting actress in the 1927 film Jal itgeora (잘 있거라), directed by Na Woon-gyu. Jeon gained popularity after taking a lead role in Arirang Gogae (아리랑고개), based on Park Seung-hui (박승희) 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.[3][4][5][6][7][8]
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.[9]
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 (남해예능대) into (백조가극단) in 1946.[6][10]
^Lee, Geun-tae (이근태) They have one daughter together, Choe, Shin Ok (Julie Chun), Julie was a famous Korean folk dancer who performed all over Asia before marrying Kim, Sok Ha, who was a speed skater for the Korean National Team. They have 3 children together. Kim, Hyung Joon (Thomas), Kim, Shi Yon(Suzi), and Kim, Pom Joon (David) 눈물의 여왕 – 전옥Archived July 11, 2011, at the Wayback Machine(in Korean) Gayo 114
^『눈물의女優(여우)』全玉(전옥)씨死亡(사망) (in Korean). The Dong-a Ilbo. October 23, 1969. p. 7. "눈물의女優(여우)" 全玉(전옥)씨死亡(사망) 「눈물의여왕」으로 많은 팬들의 심금을 울렸던 배우全玉(전옥)여사"사진·五八(오팔)·서울동대문區(구)이문洞一五五(통일오오)의六(육))가二(이십이)일 오후 (일)시경 고혈압으로 성바오로병원에서 발세했다. (전)여사는 이날오전 (팔)시반경 (경기도) 양주(군) 별내 (면) 덕송(이) 자기과수원에 들렸다가 고혈압으로 쓰러져 성바오고병원으로 옮겼으나 숨을 거두고 말았다.[permanent dead link]
