Kim Jeong-ok, who played a pivotal role in the globalization of Korean theatre, died on the 17th at the age of 94. Throughout his illustrious career spanning over six decades, he directed more than 200 plays both domestically and internationally, establishing himself as a legendary figure in the Korean theatre community. Born and raised in Gwangju, Kim was educated at Chonnam National University and Seoul National University and pursued further studies in French literature and film at the Sorbonne in France. His encounter with Yu Chi-jin during his time in France inspired him to shift his focus to theatre.

Upon returning to Korea in 1959, he dedicated himself to nurturing future talents at the Theatre and Film Department of Chonnam National University. His directorial debut came in 1961 with the play 'Lysistrata', and he became a leading figure in the Korean theatre scene following the establishment of the Minjung Theatre in 1963. His production of 'The Bald Soprano' garnered international recognition, with the original playwright Eugène Ionesco praising it during his visit to Korea in 1977. Alongside fellow director Lee Byung-bok, Kim co-founded the Freedom Theatre in 1966, which became a significant platform for innovation in realism and the emergence of a 'third theatre', revolutionizing conventional narratives.

Kim's avant-garde spirit was evident in his experiments with Korean traditional performance and his incorporation of indigenous elements into Western theatrical forms, exemplified in his works 'What Will Be' (1978) and 'Blood Wedding' (1984). His contributions not only reshaped the aesthetic landscape of Korean theatre, but they also played a vital role in the promotion and preservation of Korean culture on the global stage. Kim Jeong-ok's passing marks the loss of a monumental figure in the arts, whose influence will resonate through generations of artists that he inspired.