Kang Hee Sun, Voice Actress for Mother Shinchan Korean Version, Passes Away

Kapanlagi.com - The South Korean voice acting world is in mourning. Senior voice actress Kang Hee Sun is reported to have passed away on Saturday (5/7/2026) early morning local time after a long battle with cancer.

She is widely known for her distinctive voice that brought to life various legendary animated characters, including Mother Shinchan in the Korean version. Not only that, her voice is also familiar to the public as she provided announcements on several South Korean train lines.

Kang Hee Sun's passing leaves a deep sorrow for her family, professional colleagues, and fans who have enjoyed her work for decades. Her dedication to the profession of voice acting has also become an inspiration for many.

1. End of Life in the Midst of the Fight Against Cancer

The Korean voice actress for Misae Nohara has passed away (Credit: Shin-Ei Animation)

According to Korean media reports, Kang Hee Sun took her last breath at Inje University Sanggye Paik Hospital around 2:10 AM. She passed away at the age of 66 due to a chronic illness she had been suffering from for a long time.

The family stated that the deceased left behind a son named Ahn Eun Seok and a daughter, Ahn Ji Seon. The body is laid to rest in Room 31 of the Seoul St. Mary's Hospital funeral hall, while the funeral procession is scheduled to take place on July 6 before being buried at Honor Stone, Yongin Park.

Kang Hee Sun's struggle against illness began in 2021 when she was diagnosed with colon cancer that had spread to the liver. At that time, doctors even estimated her life expectancy to be only about two years. However, she managed to survive longer while continuing to create.

2. Continue Working Despite Undergoing Dozens of Chemotherapy Sessions

The voice actress for Misae Nohara in the Korean version has passed away (Credit: Shin-Ei Animation)

Kang Hee Sun's passion for his profession never faded even as his health continued to decline. In the midst of his treatment, he remained actively involved in various voice recordings, including for the feature film Crayon Shin-chan.

One of the most touching stories is when he completed a recording session lasting 14 hours and 30 minutes despite having undergone chemotherapy 47 times.

"There were times I recorded train announcements from my hospital room," Kang Hee Sun said during his lifetime.

His son, Ahn Eun Seok, also reminisced about his mother's dedication to her work.

"She always had a strong belief in her profession as a voice actor and loved her job very much," said Ahn Eun Seok.

In fact, several train passengers in South Korea noticed a change in the tone of the announcements at Daegok Station Line 3 in Seoul, which sounded lower, without knowing that the voice was recorded while Kang Hee Sun was undergoing treatment.

3. The Career Journey from Aspiring Actress to Legendary Voice Actor

Born in Seoul, Kang Hee Sun originally aspired to be an actress. After graduating from Junggyeong High School, she continued her education in the Broadcasting and Entertainment department at Seoul Arts College to pursue that dream.

Upon her professor's suggestion, she then tried her hand at voice acting. That decision became a major turning point in her life. In 1979, while still a sophomore, Kang Hee Sun joined as a member of the 10th generation of voice actors at TBC. After the merger of television stations in 1980, she continued her career as part of the 15th generation of voice actors at KBS.

Throughout her decades-long career, Kang Hee Sun became one of the most respected voice actors in South Korea. Her name will always be remembered through the iconic characters she voiced, including the mother of Shinchan, who accompanied the childhood of many Korean viewers.

(kpl/gtr)