Kim Hae-sook is one of South Korea’s most respected and enduring actresses, widely known as the “Nation’s Mother” for her deeply authentic portrayals of maternal figures across decades of film and television. With a career spanning more than 50 years, she has appeared in over 100 dramas and dozens of films, earning critical acclaim for her emotional range and quiet authority on screen. Whether playing a warm, supportive parent or a complex, morally gray character, she continues to leave a lasting impression on audiences both in Korea and internationally.
Kim Hae-sook was born on December 30, 1955, in Busan, South Korea. As , she is 70 years old. Her zodiac sign is Capricorn, and she holds South Korean nationality.
Personal Details
| Full Name | Kim Hae-sook (김해숙) |
| Nickname | Nation’s Mother / Nation’s Eomma |
| Profession | Actress |
| Date of Birth | 30 December 1955 |
| Age | 70 |
| Birthplace | Busan, South Korea |
| Nationality | South Korean |
| Religion | Catholic (baptismal name: Vivianna) |
| Zodiac Sign | Capricorn |
| Friends | Kong Hyun-joo (공현주) |
| Current Residence | South Korea (Seoul area) |
| Qualification | Kyung Hee University (Nursing, dropped out); Pungmun Girls’ High School graduate |
| Agency | Joon & I (Jun & I) |
| Blood Type | B |
Career
Kim Hae-sook began her acting career in the mid-1970s after being selected for MBC’s public talent recruitment program (7th class). She made her debut in the 1974 MBC drama Chief Inspector (also referred to as Chief Inspector or related early series). Early in her career, she took on smaller supporting roles while building experience in both television and film. Her first film appearance came in 1976 with Angry Apple.
Throughout the 1980s and 1990s, she steadily worked across various genres. Her breakthrough as a recognizable maternal figure arrived with the 2000 hit Autumn in My Heart (also known as Autumn Fairy Tale), for which she won the Best Supporting Actress award at the KBS Drama Awards. This role solidified her reputation and led to frequent casting as mothers and strong female supporting characters.
She continued to expand her range in the 2000s and beyond, appearing in popular family dramas and gaining further recognition with roles in My Rosy Life (2005), First Wives’ Club (2007–2008), and many others. In film, she delivered memorable performances in critically acclaimed works such as Thirst (2009), The Thieves (2012), The Handmaiden (2016), and The Throne (2015).
In recent years, Kim has remained highly active. Notable projects include Mother of Mine (2019), Under the Queen’s Umbrella (2022), Hospital Playlist, Start-Up (2020), Gyeongseong Creature (2023–2024), My Demon (2023), Strong Girl Nam-soon (2023), Mr. Plankton (2024), and Who Is She (2024–2025). Upcoming or recent works include Tempest (2025) and The WONDERfools (2026). She has also received the Eungwan Order of Cultural Merit in 2025 in recognition of her contributions to Korean culture and the arts.
Kim Hae-sook Husband
Kim Hae-sook is married to Kim Kap-su (also spelled Kim Gap-soo). The couple has two daughters. She has largely kept her family life private and has mentioned that she does not currently live with her husband, though she has not publicly detailed the reasons. Her family has generally stayed out of the spotlight and remains supportive of her career.
Physical Appearance
| Height | 158 cm (5 feet 2 inches) |
| Weight | Approximately 52 kg (115 lbs) |
| Eye Color | Brown |
| Hair Color | Dark brown / Black |
| Body Type | Average / Mature |
| Blood Type | B |
Kim Hae-sook Drama List
Kim Hae-sook has an extensive body of work. Below is a selection of notable dramas and films (not exhaustive):
Selected Television Dramas
- Chief Inspector (1974) – Debut
- Autumn in My Heart / Autumn Fairy Tale (2000) – Supporting role (mother)
- Winter Sonata (2002)
- My Rosy Life (2005)
- First Wives’ Club (2007–2008)
- Mother of Mine (2019) – Lead role
- Hospital Playlist (2020) & Season 2 – Jeong Ro-sa
- Start-Up (2020) – Choi Won-deok
- Under the Queen’s Umbrella (2022) – Queen Dowager
- Tomorrow (2022)
- Gyeongseong Creature (2023–2024) – Mrs. Nawol
- My Demon (2023–2024) – Joo Cheon-sook
- Strong Girl Nam-soon (2023)
- Mr. Plankton (2024) – Beom Ho-ja
- Who Is She (2024–2025) – Oh Mal-soon
- Tempest (2025) – Chae Kyung-sin
- The WONDERfools (2026) – Kim Jeon-bok
Selected Films
- Angry Apple (1976)
- My Brother (2004) – Mother
- Thirst (2009) – Mrs. Ra
- The Thieves (2012) – Chewingum
- The Handmaiden (2016) – Miss Sasaki
- The Throne (2015)
- Herstory (2018)
- Our Season (2023) – Park Bok-ja
- No Other Choice (2025)
Kim Hae-sook Net Worth
Kim Hae-sook’s exact net worth is not publicly disclosed. Unofficial estimates circulating online range around several million USD, with some sources citing figures near $14 million. A more conservative and realistic estimate based on her long career in acting, awards, and consistent work places it in the mid-single-digit millions.
Social Media Presence
Kim Hae-sook maintains a very private online presence and does not appear to operate active official personal accounts on major platforms. Fan accounts exist on Instagram (such as @kim.hae.sook and similar handles), but these are not verified or managed by the actress herself.
FAQs
What is Kim Hae-sook’s age ?
She is 70 years old (born December 30, 1955).
Who is Kim Hae-sook’s husband?
She is married to Kim Kap-su (Kim Gap-soo). They have two daughters.
Why is Kim Hae-sook called the “Nation’s Mother”?
She has played numerous memorable mother and maternal roles across decades of Korean dramas and films, earning widespread public affection and the nickname.
What is Kim Hae-sook’s height?
She is 158 cm (approximately 5 feet 2 inches) tall.
Has Kim Hae-sook won major awards?
Yes. Notable wins include multiple KBS Drama Awards (Best Supporting Actress and Top Excellence Award), Grand Bell Awards, and the Eungwan Order of Cultural Merit in 2025.