Kang Hee-sun, Voice of ‘Shin-chan’s Mom’ and Seoul Subways, Dies at 65

Kang Hee-sun, the South Korean voice actress best known as the Korean voice of 'Shin-chan's Mom' and the standard announcer for the Seoul and Busan subway systems, died early on July 4. She was 65. According to reports, she passed away at Inje University Sanggye Paik Hospital due to complications from colon cancer.

Kang was diagnosed with colon cancer and liver metastasis in 2021. Medical professionals initially gave her a two-year prognosis, leading to extensive treatment that included more than forty rounds of chemotherapy over the subsequent years. She spoke publicly about her diagnosis during a 2024 appearance on the television program "You Quiz on the Block," noting that the prolonged medical treatment had altered her voice.

Despite her illness, Kang maintained her professional commitments. During her treatment period, she reportedly recorded voice work for a "Crayon Shin-chan" feature film in a session lasting over fourteen hours. Her sustained work on the role of Bong Mi-sun, the matriarch of the Shin family, remained a central part of her career in the Korean voice acting community, where she previously served as the head of the KBS Voice Actor Association.

Beyond animation, Kang's voice was a daily presence for millions of transit riders. She provided the standard directional and transfer announcements across both the Seoul and Busan metropolitan subway networks, making her one of the most widely heard voices in South Korea.

A wake is currently being held at the Seoul St. Mary's Hospital Funeral Hall. Her funeral procession is scheduled for the morning of July 6, followed by burial at the Yongin Park Honors Stone.