The voice behind Misae Nohara in the animation 'Crayon Shin-chan' and the familiar subway announcements heard by commuters every day, voice actor Kang Hee-sun, passed away on the 4th.

Voice actor Kang Hee-sun died on the 4th at the age of 65 after a long battle with illness. She had been fighting cancer for nearly four years, following a diagnosis of colon cancer in 2021 that later metastasized to her liver.

Born in Seoul, Kang originally dreamed of becoming an actor but chose the path of a voice actor at the suggestion of her professor. She joined the TBC Voice Actor Association as part of its 10th class in 1979 while still in college, and became a 15th-class KBS voice actor the following year due to the media consolidation. For over 40 years, she remained active across a wide range of fields, including animation, foreign film dubbing, and broadcast narration.

She also expanded her acting range by providing the voices for Hollywood stars such as Sharon Stone, Michelle Pfeiffer, Julia Roberts, and Nicole Kidman in foreign films aired on programs like 'Weekend Masterpiece' and 'Saturday Masterpiece' during the 1980s and 90s. To the younger generation, she is best known as Misae Nohara, the mother in 'Crayon Shin-chan.' She was deeply loved for her portrayal of Misae’s signature resilience and her devotion to her family.

Her voice was also a constant presence in daily life beyond the screen. Starting in 1996, Kang served as the voice for subway announcements in Seoul and Busan, accompanying citizens on their daily commutes. Her voice was used for various public facility announcements, earning her the title of the 'nation's voice.

She did not put down the microphone even while battling her illness. Appearing on 'You Quiz on the Block' in 2024, Kang shared that she had been undergoing treatment for a long time, revealing that she had received over 40 rounds of chemotherapy. Even while enduring treatment, she remained dedicated to her craft, continuing to record for 'Crayon Shin-chan' theatrical releases until voice actor So-yeon took over the role of Misae Nohara.

The voice acting community and the public are mourning the loss of Kang, who served as a long-standing inspiration to many in her profession.