Grandmother Kang Gye-yeol of 'My Love, Don't Cross That River' Passes Away
Kang Gye-yeol, the beloved star of the documentary 'My Love, Don't Cross That River,' has passed away at 101. Discover her legacy and story.
EN brief: μν 'λμ, κ·Έ κ°μ 건λμ§ λ§μ€' κ°κ³μ΄ ν λ¨Έλ λ³μΈ (culture) + 1 glossary term.
Summary
Kang Gye-yeol, the protagonist of the record-breaking South Korean documentary film 'My Love, Don't Cross That River,' passed away on the afternoon of April 10, 2026. She was 101 years old.
Director Jin Mo-young, who helmed the 2014 film, shared the news on social media, noting that she had finally gone to be with her late husband, Jo Byeong-man. The director fondly remembered her as having a "girl-like" spirit even at the age of 100.
Born in Pyeongchang in 1925, Kang married Jo at the age of 14. Their lifelong devotion became a national sensation, first appearing in local newspapers and television programs like 'Human Theater' before the documentary made them household names.
The film, which depicts their daily lives and the eventual passing of her husband, remains the highest-grossing independent film in Korean history. Kang's story of enduring love and grief touched millions of viewers worldwide.
Quick cheat sheet
Expressions in this post
λ³μΈbyeolse (byeol-se) is a formal, respectful way to say "passing away" or "death," typically used for elderly people or individuals held in high regard. It literally translates to "leaving the world."
