Jeon Moo-song
{{short description|South Korean actor}}
{{family name hatnote|Jeon||lang=Korean}}
{{Infobox person
| name = Jeon Moo-song
| image =
| othername = Chon Moo-song
| birth_date = {{birth date and age|1941|9|28}}
| birth_place = Nae-dong, Incheon, South Korea
| occupation = Actor
| years_active = 1964-present
| alma_mater = Drama Center Theater Academy
| agent =
| spouse = Lee Ki-soon
| children = Jeon Hyun-ah (daughter)
Jeon Jin-woo (son)
| relatives = Kim Jin-man (son in law)
Kim Tae-yoon (grandson)
Kim Mi-rim (daughter in law)
| module = {{Infobox Korean name|child=yes|headercolor=transparent
| hangul = 전무송
| hanja = {{linktext|全|茂|松}}
| rr = Jeon Mu-song
| mr = Chŏn Musong
}}
}}
Jeon Moo-song (born September 28, 1941) is a South Korean actor. Jeon began his career on stage in the play 'Chunhyangjeon' in 1964 and has since been active in Korean theatre, film and television.{{cite web|title=Stage actor with subtle charisma, Jeon Moo-song|url=http://www.hancinema.net/stage-actor-with-subtle-charisma-jeon-moo-song-14106.html|website=KBS Global via Hancinema|access-date=2014-11-07|date=11 June 2008|archive-date=2023-04-10|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230410120431/https://www.hancinema.net/stage-actor-with-subtle-charisma-jeon-moo-song-14106.html|url-status=live}}{{cite web|last=Park|first=Don-gyu|script-title=ko:"연극은 도(道) 닦는 고통스러운 공부였다"|url=http://www.chosun.com/se/news/200503/200503300317.html|website=The Chosun Ilbo|language=ko|access-date=2014-11-07|date=30 March 2005|archive-date=2014-12-25|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141225084515/http://www.chosun.com/se/news/200503/200503300317.html|url-status=dead}}{{cite web|script-title=ko:전무송 "경기도에서 제대로 놀아봅시다"|url=http://www.dailian.co.kr/news/view/43058|website=Dailian|language=ko|access-date=2014-11-07|date=3 September 2006|archive-date=2014-11-07|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141107223502/http://www.dailian.co.kr/news/view/43058|url-status=live}}{{cite web|last=Kim|first=Mun-yi|script-title=ko:연기인생 50년 연극 '보물'로 감동 준 배우 전무송|url=http://www.seoul.co.kr/news/newsView.php?id=20121122025004|website=Seoul Shinmun|language=ko|access-date=2014-11-07|date=22 November 2012|archive-date=2014-11-07|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141107231410/http://www.seoul.co.kr/news/newsView.php?id=20121122025004|url-status=live}}{{cite web|last=Min|first=Dong-yong|script-title=ko:볼트를 깎다가 공장을 나와버린 청년 전무송|url=http://news.donga.com/List/Series_70070000000960/3/70070000000960/20121221/51773251/1|website=The Dong-a Ilbo|language=ko|access-date=2014-11-07|date=22 December 2012|archive-date=2015-05-10|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150510134003/http://news.donga.com/List/Series_70070000000960/3/70070000000960/20121221/51773251/1|url-status=live}} In 1977, he performed as the title character in Crown Prince Hamyeol (an adaptation of Hamlet) at La MaMa in New York City, which marked the first time a Korean theatre troupe had traveled outside Korea.{{cite web|last=Dunning|first=Jennifer|title=Melancholy Korean|url=https://query.nytimes.com/gst/abstract.html?res=9E05EFDA1339E334BC4D51DFB566838C669EDE|website=The New York Times|access-date=2014-11-07|date=25 March 1977|archive-date=2014-11-08|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141108012349/http://query.nytimes.com/gst/abstract.html?res=9E05EFDA1339E334BC4D51DFB566838C669EDE|url-status=live}}{{cite web|title=Photo Flash: La MaMa's HAMYUL/HAMLET|url=http://www.broadwayworld.com/off-off-broadway/article/Photo-Flash-La-MaMas-HAMYULHAMLET-20110624|website=Broadway World|access-date=2014-11-07|date=24 June 2011|archive-date=2023-08-18|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230818171419/https://www.broadwayworld.com/off-off-broadway/article/Photo-Flash-La-MaMas-HAMYULHAMLET-20110624|url-status=live}} Jeon also won two trophies from the Grand Bell Awards for his portrayal of an eccentric monk in Im Kwon-taek's 1981 film Mandala.{{cite web|title=Mandara (Mandala) (1981) |url=http://www.koreafilm.org/feature/100_65.asp |website=Korean Film Archive |access-date=2014-11-07 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141016231512/http://www.koreafilm.org/feature/100_65.asp |archive-date=2014-10-16 }}{{cite web|last=Lee|first=Ju-hyeon|script-title=ko:(씨네스코프) '거장 임권택'은 현재진행형|trans-title=(Cine Scope) Master Im Kwon-taek Is Still Going Strong|url=http://www.cine21.com/news/view/mag_id/74510|website=Cine21|language=ko|access-date=2014-11-07|date=11 October 2013|archive-date=2014-11-07|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141107231624/http://www.cine21.com/news/view/mag_id/74510|url-status=live}}
Early life and education
Jeon was born on September 28, 1941, in Nae-dong, Dong Incheon-dong, Jung-gu, Incheon as the eldest of three sons and four daughters who grew up in a poor fisherman family.{{Cite web |date=2009-07-12 |title=소원이 이루어지는 순간이 바로 행복이구나 |trans-title=The moment when a wish comes true is happiness. |url=https://happy.designhouse.co.kr/magazine/magazine_view/00010005/1932 |access-date=2023-07-21 |website=행복이 가득한 집 |language=ko}}{{Cite web |date=2023-06-29 |title=문화초대석10_배우 전무송 |trans-title=Culture Invitation 10_Actor Jeon Moo Song |url=https://www.ggbn.co.kr/news/articleView.html?idxno=53695 |access-date=2023-07-25 |website=금강신문 |language=ko |archive-date=2023-07-25 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230725024633/https://www.ggbn.co.kr/news/articleView.html?idxno=53695 |url-status=live }}{{Cite web |date=2021-12-21 |title=[인천 극단열전] 10. 인천연극의 과거와 미래 '끝' |trans-title=[Incheon Extreme War] 10. The past and future of Incheon theatre 'end' |url=https://www.incheonilbo.com/news/articleView.html?idxno=1125280 |access-date=2023-07-25 |website=Incheon Ilbo |language=ko |archive-date=2023-07-25 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230725081435/https://www.incheonilbo.com/news/articleView.html?idxno=1125280 |url-status=live }} His father is from Haeju, Kōkai-dō (Hwanghae Province), Korea, Empire of Japan, and his mother is from Seosan, Chungcheongnam-do.{{Cite web |last= |date=2012-11-22 |title=[김문이 만난사람] 연기인생 50년 연극 '보물'로 감동 준 배우 전무송 |trans-title=[The person Kim Moon met] Jeon Moo-song, an actor who was impressed by the 50-year play 'Tre' in acting life |url=https://www.seoul.co.kr/news/newsView.php?id=20121122025004 |access-date=2023-07-25 |website=Seoul Shinmun |language=ko |archive-date=2023-07-25 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230725061337/https://www.seoul.co.kr/news/newsView.php?id=20121122025004 |url-status=live }} Jeon frequently visited his mother's family in Seosan, during his childhood vacations. His maternal uncle, a farmer, had a knack for storytelling and would captivate Jeon with his one-man performances, leaving a lasting impression on him.{{Cite web |last= |date=2012-10-24 |title=연기인생 50년 전무송 "지금도 내 꿈은 좋은 배우가 되는 것" |trans-title=50 years of acting life, "My dream is still to be a good actor" |url=https://www.khan.co.kr/article/201210242115505 |access-date=2023-07-20 |website=Kyunghyang Shinmun |language=ko |archive-date=2023-07-20 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230720183205/https://www.khan.co.kr/article/201210242115505 |url-status=live }} Despite difficult circumstances, with the full support of his uncle and aunt, he was the only one of his siblings who attended kindergarten.
When he was in the second year of elementary school, his family fled when the Korean War broke out, and they sent him to a nearby school despite the hard life of the evacuation. His family returned to Incheon at the end of the war. Around this time, Jeon Moo-song started playing baseball at the recommendation of a friend who had returned from Japan. He hoped to become a baseball player.{{Cite web |date=2008-04-18 |title=Citylife 제125호(08.04.28일자) 연극·공연 안내 |trans-title=Citylife No. 125 (as of 08.04.28) Theatre and Performance Guide |url=https://www.mk.co.kr/news/culture/4405944 |access-date=2023-07-20 |website=매일경제 |language=ko}}
In the 1950s, Jeon attended Incheon Middle School, a prestigious school at the time. His father was so pleased with his admission that he threw a drinking party for the locals. He was planning to continue his baseball team activities in middle school. However, Incheon Middle School had no baseball team. He led the creation of a baseball club, but the dream was abandoned when the baseball club was disbanded against the principal's objection that the students wanted to focus on their studies.
Afterwards, Jeon Moo-song pondered over his career path. Her biggest concern was 'Is it right to go to college in a difficult family situation?' as he had six younger siblings. Fortunately, his principal, Gil Young-hee, encouraged him to pursue a career in industry. This led Jeon to enroll in Incheon Technical High School (now Incheon Mechanical Engineering High School), majoring in mechanical engineering. His decision did not sit well with his father, who scolded him for three days straight.{{Cite web |last= |title='만다라' 흥행뒤 밤무대 러브콜… "나는 전무송" 자존심 지켜 |trans-title='Mandala' night stage love call after the box office hit... "I'm Jeon Moosong" protect your pride |url=https://www.munhwa.com/news/view.html?no=2010082001033630136005 |access-date=2023-07-20 |website=Munhwa Ilbo |language=ko |archive-date=2023-07-20 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230720175001/https://www.munhwa.com/news/view.html?no=2010082001033630136005 |url-status=live }}
Prior to enrolling in Technical High School, he landed a job at Aegwan Theater thanks to a friend who designed the signboard there. As beginner, He was tasked with whitewashing the signboard. He eventually quit after starting high school. However, he couldn't resist sneaking away to the Sinpo-dong theater district with his school bag, donning plain clothes. It was at Aegwan Theater where he watched movies such as "Break Through the Wall" and "Long Live Freedom", as well as various performances by the likes of Yeoseong Gukgeuk Company, Lim Chun-Aeng Gukgeuk, and "Princess Nangrang and Prince Hodong". He distinctly recalls watching "Blue Bird".{{Cite web |last= |title=박정자·전무송· 한명숙이 밝히는 애관의 추억 - 인천아이뷰 |trans-title=Memories of Park Jung-ja, Jeon Moo-song, and Han Myung-sook - Incheon iView |url=https://enews.incheon.go.kr:443/usr/com/prm/BBSDetail.do?bbsId=BBSMSTR_000000000363&nttId=8502&menuNo=1003&upperMenuId=1 |access-date=2023-07-25 |website=enews.incheon.go.kr |language=ko}} It was there that he found his passion for acting after being captivated by performances of "Stagecoach" and "Samson and Delilah".
During his time at high school, Jeon also played clarinet in the high school band.
After graduating, he applied for the Department of Theater and Film at Hanyang University and was accepted. However, the high cost of tuition proved to be a major obstacle, and Jeon became devastated. He ingested what he believed to be rat poison, but it turned out to be something else entirely. When he woke up the next morning, feeling surprisingly better, he wondered why he had even considered taking his own life.
He was able to receive practical hands-on training at the Incheon Mechanical Workshop under the Incheon Railroad Administration. Jeon, who had a good job evaluation, was hired as an apprentice after training. His first job was to cut bolts and nuts to specifications. He repeated the work of placing a lump of metal on a machine that was constantly spinning with a loud noise. Beneath the machine, heaps of iron powder were rusting red. As he gazed at it, he suddenly felt that the iron powder looked like his own image.{{Cite web |date=2012-12-22 |title=[O2/인터뷰]볼트를 깎다가 공장을 나와버린 청년 전무송 |trans-title=[O2/Interview] A young man who left the factory while mowing the bolt |url=https://www.donga.com/news/article/all/20121221/51773251/1 |access-date=2023-07-20 |website=The Dong-a Ilbo |language=ko}}
“I stare at the iron powder piled up on the floor, and it seems like I am rusting. The falling iron powder felt like pieces of my body. All over my head, 'What am I doing here? Was this really what I wanted to do?' It was difficult to endure the situation, and in the end, I immediately left the company saying, 'I have to do what I want to do.'”One day, he was introduced to the head of the Seoul Shinmun Incheon branch, who offered him a job as a collection employee. The job involved managing the distribution of newspapers from Seoul to local delivery students, a task that proved to be quite challenging. He spent his days going door-to-door trying to convince people to subscribe to the newspaper.
Due to the nature of his work, he had a lot of free time, which he spent watching movies. Initially, it was intended to kill time, but after watching movies of various genres, a longing to become a 'movie actor' welled up within him. Jeon looked through magazines at a bookstore to find out about the scouting process for actors and sat for hours at a coffee shop in Chungmuro, where many movie stars come and go. Around this time, his friends who were studying acting and directing at Seorabeol Arts College (predecessor of Chung-Ang University College of Arts) said, “You are so handsome. Why don’t you try acting?” Interestingly, this suggestion came after he had spent over a year working at the newspaper. He was flattered by the compliments, so they gathered at a bakery and planned a play. He was ready to go home when the bakery owner stopped him and demanded payment. While he was being detained, his friends took off. He didn't have any cash so he had to give the bakery owner the watch he had received as a gift for his high school graduation.
Jeon went to the branch manager of the newspaper while pondering the cost of retrieving his watch. After confessing his situation and requesting an advance payment, the branch manager surprised him by asking, “Do you want to see a play?” The manager then handed him two tickets for the play “Hamlet (Hamlet, Seoul Drama Center opening performance, 1962)” along with an advance payment. It turned out that the branch manager's daughter worked as a receptionist at the Namsan Drama Center.
Despite the long journey from Incheon to the theater, Jeon went to see the play. The performance directed by Yoo Chi-jin was absolutely captivating, and he was spellbound by the acting of the cast, which included Kim Dong-won as Hamlet, Jang Min-ho as the king, and Hwang Jeong-soon as the queen. The memory of that performance remains vivid in his mind. Since there was one ticket left for the next day, he made another long journey to see the play once more. It was then that he noticed an announcement of student recruitment for the theater academy affiliated with the drama center on the back page of the theater program. He knew that he had found his true calling in life.
For his entrance audition at the Drama Center, he was tasked with expressing the scene of breaking a jar of honey from a shelf. Fortunately, he passed the practical test and was admitted to the Namsan Drama Center Actor Academy, which was founded by Dongrang {{ill|Yoo Chi-jin|ko|유치진}} (1905-1974){{efn|Seoul Institute of the Arts was established by Dongnang Arts Foundation. Dongnang Arts Foundation has its roots in the Korean Theater Research Institute founded by a scholar "Dongnang" Yoo Chi-jin in 1958. In 1958, Yoo Chi-jin founded the Korean Theater Research Institute.
Dongnang also built the affiliated Drama Center (Namsan Arts Center) and Theater Library in 1962. In the same year, he also started the Korean Theater Academy, which has become what is today Department of Theater and Film of Seoul Institute of the Arts.{{Cite web |date=2014-06-30 |title=Creating Artists to Meet the Demands of the 21st Century |url=http://www.businesskorea.co.kr/news/articleView.html?idxno=5238 |access-date=2022-06-15 |website=Businesskorea |language=ko |archive-date=2023-03-07 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230307024132/http://www.businesskorea.co.kr/news/articleView.html?idxno=5238 |url-status=live }} |group=note}} and is now known as the Department of Theater and Film of Seoul Institute of the Arts. Jeon was a part of the academy's first class in 1962, along with classmates such as Shin Goo, Lee Ho-jae, Min Ji-hwan, Kim Ki-soo, Ban Hyo-jeong (who did not graduate), and playwright Yoon Dae-seong.{{Cite web |title=연기인생 60년 이호재, '노 빠꾸'는 나의 힘 |trans-title=Lee Hojae, 60 years of acting, "No Turning Back" is my strength |url=https://n.news.naver.com/article/028/0002591803 |access-date=2022-06-18 |website=Naver News |language=ko |archive-date=2022-06-18 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220618105852/https://n.news.naver.com/article/028/0002591803 |url-status=live }}
In 2022 Jeon took part in documentary I Love What I See is documentary film about the story of Aegwan Theater, Korea's first theater founded by Koreans in 1895.{{Cite web |date=2021-10-14 |title=애관극장 - 인천의 오랜 역사와 추억, 다큐멘터리 영화로 28일 개봉 |url=http://www.incheonin.com/news/articleView.html?idxno=83132 |access-date=2023-07-25 |website=인천in 시민의 손으로 만드는 인터넷신문 |language=ko |archive-date=2023-07-25 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230725081038/http://www.incheonin.com/news/articleView.html?idxno=83132 |url-status=live }}
Career
Dongrang {{ill|Yoo Chi-jin|ko|유치진}} recognized Jeon's talent and gave him the opportunity to play the role of Lee Mong-ryeong in the 1963 graduate performance of "Chunhyangjeon". The following year, Jeon played the lead character in "Prince of Horses", a play that commemorated the founding of the Drama Center theater company.
After completing his studies in 1964, Jeon joined the Dong-rang Repertory Theater.{{Cite web |title=전무송 |trans-title=Jeon Moo-song |url=https://ifac.or.kr/IFACBBS/board.php?bo_table=Ifacbbs_ca2401&wr_id=128 |access-date=2023-07-20 |website=인천문화재단 |language=ko}} In 1970, he returned to the company after completing three years of military service. However, he struggled with the role of Stanley in Harold Pinter's "Birthday Party", which was completely different from the historical or realism dramas he was used to perform. He was ultimately replaced by Shin Goo, and this decision left him feeling angry and frustrated. He ended up drinking heavily and protested against the director Yoo Deok-hyung, causing a commotion that shook the entire troupe. The day after the incident, Jeon received a call from Dongrang. At the time, Jeon feared that he would be kicked out of the theater company. However, to his surprise, Dongrang offered him a cigarette. Though Jeon declined several times, Dongrang insisted, saying "You drink well and smoke well. Smoke it!" and even lit it for him.{{Cite web |date=2012-10-25 |title="훌륭한 배우? 인간이 되는게 먼저지" |trans-title=“A great actor? Becoming a human is the first thing." |url=https://www.hani.co.kr/arti/culture/music/557571.html |access-date=2023-07-20 |website=The Hankyoreh |language=ko |archive-date=2023-07-20 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230720194044/https://www.hani.co.kr/arti/culture/music/557571.html |url-status=live }}
During their conversation, Dongrang told Jeon this: "You have one great weapon that other actors do not have, and that is compassion. When you stand on stage, you make the audience feel compassion,' he said. 'I was thinking of you like that, but would it be okay if you acted like that? Be human first. That way, you will become a great actor." This conversation had a profound impact on Jeon, and he began to improve his attitude from that day forward.
Jeon was stayed at the trope for five more years. In 1975, Jeon with his fellow actor Lee Ho-jae and playwright Oh Taeseok joined National Theater Company of Korea (NTCK). He played various characters as an actor of the National Theater Company.
In 1977, Jeon joined The Dongnang Repertory World Tour. The troupe performed as part of the World Theater Month commemorative event, sponsored by the USA headquarters of the International Association of Dramatic Arts, in New York, US from March 15. Following this event, the troupe toured various cities in the US, including Dallas, Minneapolis, Los Angeles, and Hawaii, as well as Lane in France, Paris, and the Netherlands, to showcase their level of theater to audiences worldwide.{{Cite web |date=2018-10-06 |title=[내 인생의 한 컷]연극배우 전무송 |trans-title=[Slice of My Life] Actor Jeon Moo-song |url=https://gonggam.korea.kr/newsContentView.es?mid=a10202000000§ion_id=NCCD_PEOPLE&content=NC002&news_id=EBC6D400ED004203E0540021F662AC5F |website=gonggam.korea.kr}}
The repertoire of the world tour included "Tae" and "Prince Ha Myeol", an adaptation by Ahn Min-soo from Shakespeare's Hamlet. "Tae", which was announced in the spring and fall of 1974 and the fall of 1975, portrays the history of the early Yi Dynasty surrounding the usurpation of the throne and the tragedy of Saksin. Before their departure, the troupe presented one of their tour works, "Tae", written by Tae-seok Oh and directed by Ahn Min-soo, from February 22 to 24 at the annex of the Seoul Civic Center. This event was sponsored by JoongAng Ilbo and Dongyang Broadcasting.{{Cite web |last= |date=1977-01-25 |title=세계무대로 진출하는 한국연극 |trans-title=Korean theater advancing to the world stage |url=https://www.joongang.co.kr/article/1455593 |access-date=2023-07-20 |website=JoongAng Ilbo |language=ko |archive-date=2023-04-10 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230410140749/https://www.joongang.co.kr/article/1455593 |url-status=live }}
In 1981, Jeon became widely known to the general public by playing the role of a monk with Ahn Seong-ki in director Im Kwon-taek's film 'Mandala'. “When I filmed with director Lim, he showed respect to the extras and supporting actors. I felt a sense of respect as a human being. If Yoo Chi-jin, Hae-rang Lee, and Young-woong Lim paved the way for me in theater, director Lim is like that in film.”
He became popular with Sanwoolim's 'Waiting for Godot'.
After gaining popularity with 'Mandala', offers to appear on the night stage followed. They said that they would pay a lot of money if they appeared in monk clothes and sang. The arrangers said that locusts are in season, so grab your share when they are popular. Then he replied: “I am not a locust, I am Jeon Mu-song.” Since then, he has appeared frequently on TV screens, especially through 'TV Literature' and showed off his outstanding acting skills. Even so, he always kept the theater stage.
In 1983, Jeon founded his own theater company, Jihyeon, and a year later, in 1984, he became a member of the theater company Sanwoolim. In 1992, he founded the Theater Development Research Association and became its representative. Two years later, in 1994, he were invited to participate in the World Youth Theater Festival in Okinawa, Japan.
In 1995, Jeon was part of the Housekeeping Coordinator. It is clear from their varied experiences that they have had a long and successful career in theater, participating in different productions and theater companies, touring internationally, and even founding their own theater company and research association.
Jeon is also the subject of an internet meme titled "High Expectations Asian Father" wherein his image, taken from his cameo in the film Epitaph, is paired with an exaggerated quote usually associated with the stereotypical image of an Asian parent trying to set a high standard for their children.{{cite web|url=https://knowyourmeme.com/memes/high-expectations-asian-father|title=Know Your Meme - High Expectations Asian Father|website=Know Your Meme|date=May 8, 2010|access-date=November 2, 2022|archive-date=November 2, 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221102172754/https://knowyourmeme.com/memes/high-expectations-asian-father|url-status=live}}
Since 2006, he has been active as an artistic director of the Gyeonggi Provincial Theater Company. In this literary concert, he narrates Kim Dong-in's potato, Hyun Jin-geon's lucky day, and Love Letter with Superintendent B.
The play 'Life Delivery', which commemorates the 58th anniversary of actor Jeon Moo-song (79)'s debut and the 80th birthday, will premiere from February 4 to 7 at the Palgong Hall of Daegu Culture and Arts Centre. Co-hosted by Daegu Culture and Arts Centre and Theatre Company Haru, this is a work that depicts the story of a former vice principal and a barber who lives as a silver courier after leaving office. Jeon Moo-song, Kang In-deok plays the role of Lee Jin-beop, the former vice principal, and Choi Jong-won plays the role of Jang Ga-wi, the barber. Kim Gun-pyo is a professor of theatre and film at Daekyung University.{{Cite web |date=2020-01-22 |title='데뷔 58주년' 전무송 헌정 연극 '인생배달부' 내달 초연 |url=https://www.edaily.co.kr/news/read?newsId=01708886625640344&mediaCodeNo=257 |access-date=2023-07-20 |website=이데일리 |language=ko}}
Personal life
Jeon Moo-song tied the knot with Lee Ki-soon in 1970, who happened to be a friend of his younger sister. The couple welcomed two children into their family - a daughter named Jeon Hyeon-ah and a son named Jeon Jin-woo. Unfortunately, due to financial constraints, when their daughter Hyeon-ah was born, she had to be taken care of by Lee's family. At the time, Jeon's wife did many odd jobs. She would take goods from weaving factory, wear them on her head, and sell them at a wholesale store in Namdaemun Market. Despite the challenges they faced, their daughter Hyeon-ah went on to become a successful playwright also actress and is now married Kim Jin-man who pursued a career as a theater director. Additionally, Jeon's son Jin-woo also became an actor and is now married to actress Kim Mi-rim.
Filmography
=Film=
| class="wikitable sortable" | ||
| Year
! Title ! Role | ||
|---|---|---|
| 1978 | Acting Class | |
| 1981 | Mandala | Ji-san |
| rowspan=3|1982 | Abengo Airborne Corps | Operations staff |
| Woman of Fire '82 | ||
| The Chrysanthemum and the Clown | ||
| 1983 | Women Don't Fear the Night | |
| rowspan=4|1984 | The Woman Who Shot the Man | Jung In-ho |
| To My Children with Love | ||
| The Fire of Tandra | Lawyer Moon | |
| You Can't Stop a Flowing River | ||
| rowspan=3|1985 | Adultery Tree | |
| Deer Hunting | ||
| Graduation Journey | ||
| rowspan=3|1986 | Gilsoddeum | |
| Hwang Jin-ie | ||
| Seoul Is Cloudy with Rain Showers | ||
| rowspan=5|1987 | Our Joyful Young Days | |
| Prince Yeonsan | ||
| Gorgeous Transformation | ||
| Son of Wind | ||
| Hello, God | ||
| rowspan=4|1988 | Adada | Father |
| The Chameleon's Poem | Poet Cheon | |
| Wasteland | ||
| The Isle of Shiro | Min-woo | |
| rowspan=4|1989 | Come Come Come Upward | Monk |
| Seoul Rainbow | Artist Na | |
| Gagman | Director | |
| Country of Fire | Company president Shin | |
| rowspan=2|1990 | Moonlight Over University Town | Heo Byung-soo |
| My Love, My Bride | Editor-in-chief | |
| rowspan=6|1991 | Stairways of Heaven | Jung Gi-seob |
| Beyond the Mountain | Mu-bul | |
| Silver Stallion | Hwang Hun-jang | |
| For Agnes | Father Kim | |
| Mary Jane | ||
| Fire and Blood | Jung Sa-yong | |
| rowspan=3|1992 | Bihwang | Juk-san |
| Twenty Seven Roses | Kyung-ja's father | |
| Easy Virtue | ||
| rowspan=2|1993 | In Your Name When the Morning Comes | Jang-gil |
| A Honeymoon Trip | ||
| rowspan=2|1994 | In a Handful of Time | Professor Lee |
| Young Lover | Professor Oh | |
| rowspan=3|1995 | Mugoonghwa - Korean National Flower | Kim Hyung-jin |
| 48 + 1 | Hong-seok | |
| Rehearsal | ||
| rowspan=3|1996 | Love Story | Man at furniture store |
| Albatross | Soryeong | |
| Crocodile | Grandfather | |
| rowspan=2|1997 | D-Day | |
| Robinson Crusoe '97 (re-released in 2013 as Kid Cast Away 2013) | Old man | |
| rowspan=2|1998 | Blues | Sergeant Go |
| Sung-chul | ||
| rowspan=3|1999 | White Valentine | Kim Jeong-min's grandfather |
| The Harmonium in My Memory | Principal Hwang | |
| Cinematographer Jung Il-sung: 색과 빛으로 조율하는 아픔! | Documentary interviewer | |
| 2001 | Turtle Hero | Dragon King |
| rowspan=2|2002 | Yesterday | Priest |
| Dig or Die | Jin-hee | |
| rowspan=2|2003 | Garden of Heaven | Choi Moon-do |
| A Little Monk | Woodcutter | |
| rowspan=2|2007 | Epitaph | Professor Park Jung-nam (cameo) |
| M | Bartender | |
| rowspan=2|2008 | Little Prince | Hee-soo's father |
| Eye for an Eye | Ahn Hyeok-tae (cameo) | |
| 2009 | My Father{{cite web|title=Now Showing: My Father |url=https://www.koreatimes.co.kr/www/news/art/2009/07/154_48561.html |website=The Korea Times |access-date=2014-11-07 |date=16 July 2009 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141107230040/http://www.koreatimes.co.kr/www/news/art/2009/07/154_48561.html |archive-date= 7 November 2014 }} | Father |
| 2010 | Hear the Song of the Woods{{cite web|title=Cho Hye-ryun to star in Japanese film|url=http://www.asiae.co.kr/news/view.htm?idxno=2009110415412862717|website=10Asia|access-date=2014-11-07|date=4 November 2009|archive-date=2014-11-07|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141107231416/http://www.asiae.co.kr/news/view.htm?idxno=2009110415412862717|url-status=live}} | |
| 2011 | Beautiful Legacy | Dr. Lee Myeong-sik |
| 2012 | Snow Is on the Sea | Dr. Jo |
| rowspan=2|2014 | 100 Great Years of Korean Cinema | Documentary commentary |
| My Love, My Bride | Pan Hae-il | |
| rowspan=2|2016 | The Bacchus Lady | Jae-woo |
| Curtain Call | Jang Jin-tae | |
| 2017 | The Bros | Choon-bae (special appearance) |
| 2022
|{{cite web|url=https://entertain.naver.com/now/read?oid=076&aid=0003912758|author=Jo Ji-young|title=박영규→심달기까지 총출동"…'인생은 아름다워' 베테랑부터 신예 출격 버라이어티한 캐스팅|trans-title=Park Young-gyu → All-out until Shim Dal-gi"... 'Life is Beautiful' from veterans to newcomers Variety casting|publisher=Sports Chosun|via=Naver|date=September 6, 2022|access-date=September 6, 2022|language=ko|archive-date=September 6, 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220906032026/https://entertain.naver.com/now/read?oid=076&aid=0003912758|url-status=live}} | ||
| 2024
| Dead Man | |
=Television series=
= Variety show =
| class="wikitable sortable" | ||
| Year
! Title ! class="unsortable" | Notes | ||
|---|---|---|
| 1997–1998 | Saturday Mystery Theatre | Host |
| 2011–present | The Clinic for Married Couples: Love and War - Season 2 | Chief judge |
| 2013 | Onya Onya (Yes Yes){{cite web|last=Lee|first=Sun-min|title=Another show looks to older stars|url=http://koreajoongangdaily.joins.com/news/article/article.aspx?aid=2977327|website=Korea JoongAng Daily|access-date=2014-11-07|date=10 September 2013|archive-date=2014-11-07|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141107230422/http://koreajoongangdaily.joins.com/news/article/article.aspx?aid=2977327|url-status=live}} | Cast member |
Theater
= As member of Dongnang Repertoire Theater Company =
| Class="wikitable sortable plainrowheaders" style="clear:none; font-size:100%;
|+ Theater performances as member of Dongnang Repertoire Theater Company !scope="col" rowspan="2"| Year !scope="col" colspan="2"| Title !scope="col" rowspan="2"| Role !scope="col" rowspan="2"| Theater !scope="col" rowspan="2"| Date !scope="col" rowspan="2"| Note(s) |
| English
! Korean |
|---|
| scope="row" rowspan="3"| 1964
| Tale of Chunhyang | 춘향전 | rowspan="3"| Namsan Drama Center | April 7 to 12 |
| Othello
| 오셀로 | James | {{N/A}} |
| Prince of Magic/The Demon Prince
|마의태자 |Pil Seon |September 23 to 28 |
| scope="row" rowspan="3" |1965
|Shame |수치 | | rowspan="3" |Namsan Drama Center |April 1 to 4 |
| Pungwoon Anagyu
|풍운아나운규 | |June 3 to 7 |
| Daechunhyangjeon
|대춘향전 | |December 10 to 12 |
| rowspan="2" scope="row" |1966
| Smoking a cigarette | 담배내기 | | rowspan="2" |Namsan Drama Center | February 2 to 4 |
| Shame
|수치 | |March 9–12 |
| scope="row" rowspan="2" |1967
| rowspan="2" |Sanha-dashi Purojiri | rowspan="2" |산하는다시푸르러지리 | rowspan="2" | | rowspan="2" |Namsan Drama Center | February 1 to 4 |
| February 6 to March 1 |
| scope="row" rowspan="1"| 1970
|생일파티 |Stanley Webber |Namsan Drama Center |October 5–20 |
| scope="row" | 1971
|Surplus or not |잉여부부 | | Namsan Drama Center |October 1–10 | {{Cite web |title=동랑예술원 공연작품 31-45 |trans-title=Dongrang Arts Centre Performance Work 31-45 |url=https://www.seoularts.ac.kr/web/content.do?proFn=9743300 |website=seoularts.ac.kr |access-date=2023-07-21 |archive-date=2023-07-21 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230721015633/https://www.seoularts.ac.kr/web/content.do?proFn=9743300 |url-status=live }}{{Cite web |title=동낭 레퍼토리 컴퍼니 수상 작품 |trans-title=Dongnang Repertoire Company Award Winning Work |url=https://www.seoularts.ac.kr/web/content.do?proFn=9744000 |access-date=2022-06-30 |website=www.seoularts.ac.kr |archive-date=2023-06-05 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230605143419/https://www.seoularts.ac.kr/web/content.do?proFn=9744000 |url-status=live }} |
| rowspan="2" scope="row" | 1972
|Sootduki Play adaptation of Scapin the Schemer |쇠뚝이놀이-스카펭의간계 |Scapin |National Theater |April 17–21 |
| Romeo and Juliet
|로미오와 줄리엣 | | Namsan Drama Center |1972.9.30–10.9 |
| rowspan="2" scope="row" | 1973
| Grass Tomb (Chobun) | 초분 | ensemble casts | rowspan="2" | Namsan Drama Center |1973.4.4-4.15 |
| King Lear
| 리어왕 |King Lear |1973.11.1–11.18 |
| rowspan="4" scope="row" | 1974
| 생일파티 |Stanley Webber | rowspan="2"| Myongdong Arts Theater |April 18 to 22 |
| rowspan="2"|Tae (Lifecord)
| rowspan="2"|태 | rowspan="2"| King Sejo | April 18 to 22 |
| rowspan="2" | Namsan Drama Center
| May 17 to June 30 |
| Succession a.k.a Mass Game
|출세기 (일명 "매스·게임") | |1974.10.20–11.6 |
| rowspan="6" scope="row" | 1975
| rowspan="2" |Grass Tomb (Chobun) | rowspan="2" |초분 | rowspan="2" |ensemble | rowspan="2" |Namsan Drama Center | April 13 to 26 |
| May 8 to 9 |
| rowspan="2"|Prince of Magic/The Demon Prince
| rowspan="2"|마의태자 | rowspan="2"| Pil Seon | Myeongdong Arts Theater | July 3 to 7 |
| Busan Civic Center
| August 16 to 17 |
| Barefoot in the Park
| 맨발로공원을 | Paul Bratter | rowspan="2"| Namsan Drama Center | October 9 to 20 |
| Tae (Lifecord)
| 태 | King Sejo | November 8 to 16 |
| scope="row" | 1976
| Succession a.k.a Mass Game | 출세기 (일명 "매스·게임") | | Namsan Art Center | June 6 to 16 |
=As part of Dongnang Repertoire World Tour=
| Class="wikitable sortable plainrowheaders" style="clear:none; font-size:100%;
|+ Theater performances as part of Dongrang Repertoire World Tour !scope="col" rowspan="2"| Year !scope="col" colspan="2"| Title !scope="col" rowspan="2"| Role !scope="col" rowspan="2"| Theater !scope="col" rowspan="2"| Date !scope="col" rowspan="2" class="unsortable" | {{abbr|Ref.|Reference(s)}} |
| English
! Korean |
|---|
| scope="row" rowspan="3"| 1977
| Dongnang Repertory Theater Company's World Tour Return Commemorative Performance — Lifecord | 동랑레퍼터리극단 해외순회기념공연: 태 | Shin Suk-ju | Civic Hall Annex building | February 22–24 |
| Dongnang Repertory Theater Company's World Tour Return Commemorative Performance — Prince Ha-myeol (Hamlet)
| 동랑레퍼터리극단 해외순회기념공연: 하멸태자 | tour of 16 cities in 3 countries in the United States, France and the Netherlands | March 9–May 30 |
| ITI US Headquarters' World Theater Day invitation performance— Prince Ha-myeol (Hamlet)
| 하멸태자 | ITI US Headquarters Civic Center Annex | June 15–June 20 |
= As member of NTOK =
| class="wikitable sortable plainrowheaders" style="clear:none; font-size:100%;"
|+Theater play performances as member National Theatre Company of Korea{{Cite web |title=국립극단 디지털 아카이브 — 전무송 |trans-title=National Theater Company Digital Archive — Jeon Moo-song |url=http://archive.ntck.or.kr/front/view/group/G002682 |access-date=2022-07-14 |website=archive.ntck.or.kr |language=ko |archive-date=2022-08-18 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220818092253/http://archive.ntck.or.kr/front/view/group/G002682 |url-status=live }} ! rowspan="2" scope="col" |Year ! colspan="2" scope="col" |Title ! rowspan="2" scope="col" |Role ! rowspan="2" scope="col" |Theater ! rowspan="2" scope="col" |Date ! rowspan="2" scope="col" |Note |
| English
!Korean |
|---|
| rowspan="4" scope="row" |1975
|Jingbirok |징비록 |Ancestor | rowspan="4" |National Theater Grand Theater |March 1 to 9 |
| The Myth of Gorangpo
|고랑포의 신화 |Dumasusa |June 24 to 29 |
| Wild Field
|광야 |Seo Kwang-soo |August 6 to 11 |
| Wilhelm Tell
|빌헬름 텔 | Ludenz |November 27 to December 1 |
| rowspan="5" scope="row" |1976
|Roar |함성 |Lim Byung-chan | rowspan="2" |National Theater Grand Theatre |Feb 27 to Mar 2 | |
| Sontag Hotel
|손탁호텔 |Lim Cheol-gyu |June 10 to 13 | |
| Night of January 16th
|1월 16일 밤에 생긴 일 |juror |National Theater Small Theatre |August 27 to 30 | |
| Peer Gynt
|페르귄트 |Peer Gynt | rowspan="2" |National Theater Grand Theatre |September 24 to 28 | |
| A Graveyard Looking Northward
|북향묘 |Lee Seong-gye |November 25 to 29 | |
| rowspan="3" scope="row" |1977
|Chorip-dong (Boy with a Straw Hat) |초립동 |General Gyebaek | rowspan="2" |National Theater Grand Theatre |March 2 to 6 | |
| Faust
|파우스트 |Wagner |June 29 to July 3 | |
| The Late Christoper Bean
|크리스토퍼의 죽음 |Haget |National Theater Small Theatre |September 15 to 19 | |
| rowspan="7" scope="row" |1978
|Forest of Massacre |학살의 숲 |Ha Myung-ho | rowspan="2" |National Theater Grand Theatre |November 24 to 28 | |
| Emile Bell
|에밀레종 |Il-jeon |March 1 to 5 | |
| Look Homeward, Angel: a Story of the buried life
|천사여 고향을 보라 |Ben |National Theater Small Theatre |April 19 to 28 | |
| Heihe
|흑하 |Choi Jin-dong |National Theater Grand Theatre |June 21 to 24 | |
| Look Homeward, Angel: Story of the buried life
|천사여 고향을 보라 |Ben | rowspan="3" |National Theater Small Theatre |June 30 to July 3 | |
| rowspan="2" |Splash
| rowspan="2" |물보라 | rowspan="2" |Shin Ki-ri | September 15 to 24 | ship owner |
| November 8 to 12
| |
| rowspan="5" scope="row" |1979
|Guest House |객사 |Daedal |National Theater Grand Theatre |February 28 to March 4 | |
| Dom Juan
|동쥐앙 |Snagarelle |National Theater Small Theatre |April 19 to 26 |
| Becket
|베케트 |Becket |National Theater Grand Theatre |June 26 to July 2 | |
| Munyeodo (The Portrait of Shaman)
|무녀도 |villain | rowspan="2" |National Theater Small Theatre |September 4 to 13 | |
| Sachugi
|사추기 |Kim Sam-mak |December 12 to 18 | |
| scope="row" |1990
| Namhansanseong Fortress - The National Tragedy of the Manchu War | 남한산성 - 병자호란의 민족적비극 | 마부대 | National Theater Grand Theater | October 21 | {{Cite web |title= 남한산성 - 병자호란의 민족적비극 |trans-title= Namhansanseong Fortress - The National Tragedy of the Manchu War |url= https://www.daarts.or.kr/handle/11080/108006 |access-date= 2023-02-08 |website= DA-Arts |archive-date= 2023-07-20 |archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20230720090117/https://www.daarts.or.kr/handle/11080/108006 |url-status= live }}{{Cite web |title= 남한산성 |trans-title= Namhansanseong Fortress |url= http://archive.ntck.or.kr/front/view/show/S000230 |access-date= 2023-02-08 |website= archive.ntck.or.kr |archive-date= 2023-02-25 |archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20230225103409/http://archive.ntck.or.kr/front/view/show/S000230 |url-status= live }} |
= Theater play with Sanwoollim Small Theater =
Awards and nominations
Notes
{{reflist|group=note}}
{{notelist}}
References
{{Reflist|30em}}
External links
- {{HanCinema person}}
- {{IMDb name|0161149|Jeon Mu-song}}
- {{KMDb person|00000914|Chon Moo-song}}
{{Baeksang Arts Award Best Actor Theatre}}
{{Grand Bell Awards for Best New Actor}}
{{Grand Bell Awards for Best Supporting Actor}}
{{Korean Association of Film Critics Awards for Best Actor}}
{{Authority control}}
{{DEFAULTSORT:Jeon, Moo-song}}
Category:20th-century South Korean male actors
Category:21st-century South Korean male actors
Category:South Korean male stage actors
Category:South Korean male film actors
Category:South Korean male television actors
Category:Seoul Institute of the Arts alumni
Category:People from Jung District, Incheon