Song Hye-kyo and Professor Seo Kyung-duk Honor Female Independence Fighter Nam Ja-hyeon on March 1st

Actress Song Hye-kyo has once again joined forces with Professor Seo Kyung-duk of Sungshin Women's University to shine a light on Korea's independence history, this time honoring the relatively unknown female independence fighter Nam Ja-hyeon. The collaboration, released on the 107th anniversary of the March 1st Independence Movement, continues their long-running partnership dedicated to preserving and promoting Korean historical heritage around the world.

The duo produced a four-minute multilingual video titled "Nam Ja-hyeon: The Woman Who Broke the Mold of Her Era," featuring narrations in both Korean and English to reach audiences domestically and internationally. Professor Seo handled the planning and production of the video, while Song Hye-kyo provided financial sponsorship for the project.

The Extraordinary Life of Nam Ja-hyeon

The video chronicles the remarkable journey of Nam Ja-hyeon, who began her independence activism at the relatively late age of 47 after participating in the historic March 1st Movement in Seoul. Inspired by the nationwide uprising against Japanese colonial rule, she made the courageous decision to flee to Manchuria, where she dedicated the remainder of her life to the Korean independence cause.

Among her most notable acts of resistance, Nam Ja-hyeon wrote blood petitions calling for unity among independence organizations. In one of her most dramatic gestures of defiance, she severed her own ring finger to write a blood petition titled "Joseon Independence Petition," which she sent to the League of Nations after Japan established a puppet state in Manchuria. Her unwavering commitment to Korean sovereignty made her one of the most courageous figures of the independence movement.

Part of a Continuing Series

The Nam Ja-hyeon video is the sixth installment in a series dedicated to spotlighting female independence activists whose contributions have been largely overlooked in mainstream historical narratives. Previous videos in the series have featured Jeong Jeong-hwa, Yun Hee-sun, Kim Maria, Park Cha-jeong, and Kim Hyang-hwa, each highlighting women who played pivotal roles in Korea's struggle for independence.

Professor Seo emphasized the importance of bringing these stories to a global audience, noting that the videos are being shared through YouTube, various social media platforms, and Korean community networks worldwide. He expressed plans to continue expanding the series with additional multilingual videos covering more female independence activists in the future.

A 15-Year Partnership for Historical Preservation

The March 1st collaboration is the latest chapter in a remarkable 15-year partnership between Song Hye-kyo and Professor Seo. Over the course of their collaboration, the pair have donated Korean-language guidebooks, Korean signage, and sculptural works honoring independence activists to 37 historical sites connected to Korea's independence movement across the globe.

Their sustained commitment to historical education and cultural preservation has earned widespread recognition, with the partnership serving as a powerful example of how public figures can use their influence to promote meaningful social causes. According to the Yonhap News Agency, the latest video is already being widely circulated among Korean diaspora communities in multiple countries, further extending its educational reach.

Song Hye-kyo, one of South Korea's most internationally recognized actresses, has consistently used her platform to support historical and cultural initiatives alongside her acting career, reinforcing her reputation as an artist committed to social responsibility beyond the entertainment industry.