Yeo Woon-kye (여운계) Age, Height, Weights, Husband, Drama List, Net Worth 2026
Yeo Woon-kye was a respected South Korean actress and television personality with a career spanning over five decades. Born in 1940, she became one of the most recognizable veteran supporting actresses in Korean entertainment, often portraying grandmotherly or strong-willed elder female characters with warmth, humor, and depth. She left a lasting legacy through iconic roles in both films and television dramas, including Jewel in the Palace (Dae Jang Geum), My Lovely Sam Soon, and many others.
Yeo Woon-kye was born on February 25, 1940, in Suwon, Gyeonggi Province (during the period of Japanese occupation, then known as part of Korea). She passed away on May 22, 2009, at the age of 69. Her zodiac sign was Pisces.
She graduated from Korea University. Details about her early family life and childhood are relatively private, though she began her acting journey as a university student in the late 1950s. She officially joined a theater company after graduation in 1962, marking the start of her professional stage career.
Yeo Woon-kye made her film debut in 1968 with The General’s Beard. She built a long and steady career primarily as a supporting actress, excelling in both comedic and dramatic roles. Her theater background provided a strong foundation, and she transitioned effectively into television in later decades.
She gained widespread recognition in the 2000s for roles such as Court Lady Jung in the historical drama Jewel in the Palace (2003). Other notable works include My Lovely Sam Soon, Bad Family, and War of Money. She continued acting even after a cancer diagnosis in 2007, demonstrating remarkable dedication until shortly before her passing. Her filmography reflects a versatile career that spanned classic films of the 1970s to popular TV series in the 2000s.
Personal Life
Yeo Woon-kye was married to Cha Sang-hoon, a former university professor. The couple had two children: one son and one daughter. She was known for maintaining a relatively private personal life outside of her professional commitments.
In her later years, she faced health challenges, including a diagnosis of kidney cancer in 2007, which later spread. She passed away in 2009 at Incheon Catholic Medical Center. Her funeral was held at Yonsei University Severance Hospital.
Physical Appearance
Height
163–164 cm (approx. 5’4″)
Weight
Approx. 58 kg (historical)
Eye Color
Dark brown
Hair Color
Dark / Gray (in later roles)
Body Type
Average build
Yeo Woon-kye Drama List / Filmography / Works (Selected)
Notable Television Dramas
The King and the Queen (1998–2000)
Jewel in the Palace (Dae Jang Geum, 2003) – Court Lady Jung
My Lovely Sam Soon (2005)
The Daughters-in-Law (2007–2008)
King and I (2007–2008)
Love and Obsession (2009)
Films (Selected)
The General’s Beard (1968, debut)
Mapado 2: Back to the Island (2007)
Various classic films from the 1970s onward, including Seokyeongui 10 beonga (1979)
FAQs
When did Yeo Woon-kye pass away?
She died on May 22, 2009, at age 69 after battling cancer.
