Koreans mourn Kang Hee-seon, voice actor for ‘Crayon Shin-chan,’ Hollywood actresses

Voice actor Kang Hee-seon, best known as the Korean voice of Misae Nohara, referred to by local audiences as Bong Mi-seon, Shin-chan's mother in the Japanese animation "Crayon Shin-chan," died Saturday after battling cancer. She was 65. Over a career spanning more than four decades, Kang became one of Korea's most recognizable voices through animation, foreign film dubbing and public transportation announcements.

She provided the Korean voice for Hollywood actors including Sharon Stone, Julia Roberts and Nicole Kidman, while her subway announcements accompanied millions of commuters in Seoul and Busan for nearly three decades. News of her death prompted an outpouring of tributes across social media, where many users described her voice as a defining part of their childhood. Posts featuring Bong Mi-seon's memorable scenes from "Crayon Shin-chan" quickly filled with messages thanking Kang for bringing warmth, humor and emotion to one of Korea's most beloved animated mothers.

Public figures also paid tribute. Seoul Mayor Oh Se-hoon said Kang's voice had accompanied Seoul citizens throughout