Remembering the Legacy of Ye Woon-gye: 16 Years Since Her Passing
It has been 16 years since the beloved actress Ye Woon-gye (故 여운계) passed away, leaving a profound sense of longing among her fans. Known as the 'Nation's Mother,' she had even concealed her illness to spare her admirers from worry.
Ye Woon-gye succumbed to lung cancer on May 22, 2009, at the age of 69. She made her debut as a KBS talent in 1962 and starred in numerous dramas including 환상의 공포 (Phantom Horror), 야행열차 (Night Train), 청춘행진곡 (Youth March), and 대장금 (Jewel in the Palace), as well as films like 마파도 (Mapado) and 꿈은 이루어 (Dreams Come True).
Despite battling lung cancer, Ye continued to showcase her passion for acting. In 2007, she was diagnosed with kidney cancer, which forced her to leave the production of 왕과 나 (The King and I). After a three-month recovery, she returned to the screen, but her condition worsened as cancer spread to her lungs, leading to her departure from 장화홍련 (The Tale of Janghwa and Hongryeon) in April 2009, shortly before her passing.
A poignant story emerged after her death, revealing that she had requested her illness be reported differently to avoid causing concern among her viewers and loved ones. This dedication to her craft and her fans has left a lasting impact, and many continue to remember and miss her dearly.