Song Hye Kyo and professor Seo Kyoung Duk sponsor March 1st commemorative video honoring independence activist Nam Ja Hyeon

Actress Song Hye Kyo commemorated the meaningful March 1st Independence Movement Day by spotlighting the fiery life of independence activist Nam Ja Hyeon in collaboration with Korean public relations expert Seo Kyoung Duk.

On March 1, Professor Seo released a four-minute video titled 'Nam Ja Hyeon, the Female Independence Activist Who Broke the Mold of Her Time' via Instagram and YouTube. The video introduces Nam Ja Hyeon’s life and remarkable achievements.

Inspired by her participation in the March 1st Movement in Seoul, Nam Ja Hyeon went into exile in Manchuria at the age of 47. She joined the Seorogunjeongseo (West Road Military Administration Office), established women’s education associations and churches across Manchuria, and led efforts to enlighten and educate women. She also devoted herself to nursing wounded independence fighters.

Later, she transformed into an armed anti-Japanese resistance fighter. While carrying out a secret mission to assassinate Governor-General Saito and Minister Plenipotentiary Muto, she was arrested. At the age of 61, she staged a hunger strike in prison and left behind the final words, “Independence is achieved through spirit.”

Professor Seo stated, “I planned this video and Song Hye Kyo sponsored its production. It has been released with both Korean and English narration and is being widely shared with audiences at home and abroad.”

This marks the sixth time Song Hye Kyo has sponsored the production of videos honoring Korean independence activists. She previously supported projects highlighting lesser-known female independence activists such as Jeong Jeong Hwa, Yun Hui Sun, Kim Maria, Park Cha Jeong, and Kim Hyang Hwa. Professor Seo added, “We will continue producing a multilingual video series on more female independence activists together with Song Hye Kyo. Please look forward to our next project.”

Meanwhile, the partnership between Song Hye Kyo and Professor Seo has continued for 15 years. Together, they have supported Korean-language guidebooks, Hangul signboards, and relief sculptures of independence activists at historic Korean independence sites around the world, completing donations to a total of 37 locations.