Actor · South Korea
Kang Soo Yeon
강수연
Kang Soo Yeon started as a child actress in the 1970s and became the first Korean to win Best Actress at the Venice Film Festival for The Surrogate Woman (1987). She continued acting and served as a festival juror until her death in 2022.
Biography
Kang Soo Yeon was a celebrated South Korean actress whose influence spanned across multiple decades in the Korean film industry. Born on August 18, 1966, in Seoul, South Korea, Kang embarked on her acting career as a child actress in the 1970s. She quickly gained recognition for her natural acting style and depth of expression. Her breakout role came in 1987 with the film "The Surrogate Woman," for which she won the Best Actress award at the Venice Film Festival. This accolade marked her as the first Korean to win at this prestigious event, setting the stage for a groundbreaking career that would pave the way for future Korean actors on the international stage.
Throughout the late 20th century, Kang starred in a myriad of films that showcased her versatile acting skills. She was known for her roles in films like "Come Come Come Upward" and "All That Falls Has Wings," where she portrayed complex characters with emotional depth. Her performances won her numerous awards. Kang's ability to bring authenticity and poignancy to her roles made her a beloved figure among audiences and critics alike.
Kang also made significant contributions to the film industry as a juror at various international film festivals. Her involvement in the film community extended beyond acting, as she took on roles that influenced the direction and scope of film festivals in Asia. In the 2000s, despite taking a brief hiatus from acting, Kang returned to the screen with renewed vigor, participating in films and TV dramas that resonated with both old and new generations of viewers.
Kang Soo Yeon's life and career were tragically cut short when she passed away on May 7, 2022, due to complications from a cerebral hemorrhage. Her death marked the end of an era for Korean cinema. Kang's legacy, however, continues to inspire aspiring actors and filmmakers.
Profile data
- Stage name
- Kang Soo Yeon
- Native name
- 강수연
- Gender
- Female
- Date of birth
- 18 August 1966
- Date of death
- 7 May 2022
- Age
- 55
- Zodiac
- Leo
- Chinese zodiac
- Horse
- Portrait source
- TMDB API
- Rights holder
- TMDB / respective copyright holder
- Usage basis
- Editorial use via TMDB API, non-commercial reference
- Metadata source
- TMDB, Wikipedia, and other sources cited in the record
- Last updated
- 29 September 2026
- Editor
- Claude (AI content review)
Kang Soo Yeon shows and movies
Main roles 1 title
Behind the camera 1 title
Frequently worked with
Counted from shared credits across the database, most shared titles first.





