# Jeon Moo-song

Jeon Moo-song (born September 28, 1941) is a South Korean actor. Jeon began his career on stage in the play 'Chunhyangjeon' in 1964 and has since been active in Korean theatre, film and television. In 1977, he performed as the title character in Crown Prince Hamyeol (an adaptation of Hamlet) at La MaMa in New York City, which marked the first time a Korean theatre troupe had traveled outside Korea. Jeon also won two trophies from the Grand Bell Awards for his portrayal of an eccentric monk in Im Kwon-taek's 1981 film Mandala.

## Early life and education

Jeon was born on September 28, 1941, in Nae-dong, Dong Incheon-dong, Jung-gu, Incheon as the eldest of three sons and four daughters who grew up in a poor fisherman family. His father is from Haeju, Kōkai-dō (Hwanghae Province), Korea, Empire of Japan, and his mother is from Seosan, Chungcheongnam-do. Jeon frequently visited his mother's family in Seosan, during his childhood vacations. His maternal uncle, a farmer, had a knack for storytelling and would captivate Jeon with his one-man performances, leaving a lasting impression on him. Despite difficult circumstances, with the full support of his uncle and aunt, he was the only one of his siblings who attended kindergarten.
When he was in the second year of elementary school, his family fled when the Korean War broke out, and they sent him to a nearby school despite the hard life of the evacuation. His family returned to Incheon at the end of the war. Around this time, Jeon Moo-song started playing baseball at the recommendation of a friend who had returned from Japan. He hoped to become a baseball player.
In the 1950s, Jeon attended Incheon Middle School, a prestigious school at the time. His father was so pleased with his admission that he threw a drinking party for the locals. He was planning to continue his baseball team activities in middle school. However, Incheon Middle School had no baseball team. He led the creation of a baseball club, but the dream was abandoned when the baseball club was disbanded against the principal's objection that the students wanted to focus on their studies.
Afterwards, Jeon Moo-song pondered over his career path. Her biggest concern was 'Is it right to go to college in a difficult family situation?' as he had six younger siblings. Fortunately, his principal, Gil Young-hee, encouraged him to pursue a career in industry. This led Jeon to enroll in Incheon Technical High School (now Incheon Mechanical Engineering High School), majoring in mechanical engineering. His decision did not sit well with his father, who scolded him for three days straight.
Prior to enrolling in Technical High School, he landed a job at Aegwan Theater thanks to a friend who designed the signboard there. As beginner, He was tasked with whitewashing the signboard. He eventually quit after starting high school. However, he couldn't resist sneaking away to the Sinpo-dong theater district with his school bag, donning plain clothes. It was at Aegwan Theater where he watched movies such as "Break Through the Wall" and "Long Live Freedom", as well as various performances by the likes of Yeoseong Gukgeuk Company, Lim Chun-Aeng Gukgeuk, and "Princess Nangrang and Prince Hodong". He distinctly recalls watching "Blue Bird". It was there that he found his passion for acting after being captivated by performances of "Stagecoach" and "Samson and Delilah".
During his time at high school, Jeon also played clarinet in the high school band.
After graduating, he applied for the Department of Theater and Film at Hanyang University and was accepted. However, the high cost of tuition proved to be a major obstacle, and Jeon became devastated. He ingested what he believed to be rat poison, but it turned out to be something else entirely. When he woke up the next morning, feeling surprisingly better, he wondered why he had even considered taking his own life.
He was able to receive practical hands-on training at the Incheon Mechanical Workshop under the Incheon Railroad Administration. Jeon, who had a good job evaluation, was hired as an apprentice after training. His first job was to cut bolts and nuts to specifications. He repeated the work of placing a lump of metal on a machine that was constantly spinning with a loud noise. Beneath the machine, heaps of iron powder were rusting red. As he gazed at it, he suddenly felt that the iron powder looked like his own image.
   “I stare at the iron powder piled up on the floor, and it seems like I am rusting. The falling iron powder felt like pieces of my body. All over my head, 'What am I doing here? Was this really what I wanted to do?' It was difficult to endure the situation, and in the end, I immediately left the company saying, 'I have to do what I want to do.'”
One day, he was introduced to the head of the Seoul Shinmun Incheon branch, who offered him a job as a collection employee. The job involved managing the distribution of newspapers from Seoul to local delivery students, a task that proved to be quite challenging. He spent his days going door-to-door trying to convince people to subscribe to the newspaper.
Due to the nature of his work, he had a lot of free time, which he spent watching movies. Initially, it was intended to kill time, but after watching movies of various genres, a longing to become a 'movie actor' welled up within him. Jeon looked through magazines at a bookstore to find out about the scouting process for actors and sat for hours at a coffee shop in Chungmuro, where many movie stars come and go. Around this time, his friends who were studying acting and directing at Seorabeol Arts College (predecessor of Chung-Ang University College of Arts) said, “You are so handsome. Why don’t you try acting?” Interestingly, this suggestion came after he had spent over a year working at the newspaper. He was flattered by the compliments, so they gathered at a bakery and planned a play. He was ready to go home when the bakery owner stopped him and demanded payment. While he was being detained, his friends took off. He didn't have any cash so he had to give the bakery owner the watch he had received as a gift for his high school graduation.
Jeon went to the branch manager of the newspaper while pondering the cost of retrieving his watch. After confessing his situation and requesting an advance payment, the branch manager surprised him by asking, “Do you want to see a play?” The manager then handed him two tickets for the play “Hamlet (Hamlet, Seoul Drama Center opening performance, 1962)” along with an advance payment. It turned out that the branch manager's daughter worked as a receptionist at the Namsan Drama Center.
Despite the long journey from Incheon to the theater, Jeon went to see the play. The performance directed by Yoo Chi-jin was absolutely captivating, and he was spellbound by the acting of the cast, which included Kim Dong-won as Hamlet, Jang Min-ho as the king, and Hwang Jeong-soon as the queen. The memory of that performance remains vivid in his mind. Since there was one ticket left for the next day, he made another long journey to see the play once more. It was then that he noticed an announcement of student recruitment for the theater academy affiliated with the drama center on the back page of the theater program. He knew that he had found his true calling in life.
For his entrance audition at the Drama Center, he was tasked with expressing the scene of breaking a jar of honey from a shelf. Fortunately, he passed the practical test and was admitted to the Namsan Drama Center Actor Academy, which was founded by Dongrang Yoo Chi-jin [ko] (1905-1974) and is now known as the Department of Theater and Film of Seoul Institute of the Arts. Jeon was a part of the academy's first class in 1962, along with classmates such as Shin Goo, Lee Ho-jae, Min Ji-hwan, Kim Ki-soo, Ban Hyo-jeong (who did not graduate), and playwright Yoon Dae-seong.
In 2022 Jeon took part in documentary I Love What I See is documentary film about the story of Aegwan Theater, Korea's first theater founded by Koreans in 1895.

## Career

Dongrang Yoo Chi-jin [ko] recognized Jeon's talent and gave him the opportunity to play the role of Lee Mong-ryeong in the 1963 graduate performance of "Chunhyangjeon". The following year, Jeon played the lead character in "Prince of Horses", a play that commemorated the founding of the Drama Center theater company.
After completing his studies in 1964, Jeon joined the Dong-rang Repertory Theater. In 1970, he returned to the company after completing three years of military service. However, he struggled with the role of Stanley in Harold Pinter's "Birthday Party", which was completely different from the historical or realism dramas he was used to perform. He was ultimately replaced by Shin Goo, and this decision left him feeling angry and frustrated. He ended up drinking heavily and protested against the director Yoo Deok-hyung, causing a commotion that shook the entire troupe. The day after the incident, Jeon received a call from Dongrang. At the time, Jeon feared that he would be kicked out of the theater company. However, to his surprise, Dongrang offered him a cigarette. Though Jeon declined several times, Dongrang insisted, saying "You drink well and smoke well. Smoke it!" and even lit it for him.
During their conversation, Dongrang told Jeon this: "You have one great weapon that other actors do not have, and that is compassion. When you stand on stage, you make the audience feel compassion,' he said. 'I was thinking of you like that, but would it be okay if you acted like that? Be human first. That way, you will become a great actor." This conversation had a profound impact on Jeon, and he began to improve his attitude from that day forward.
Jeon was stayed at the trope for five more years. In 1975, Jeon with his fellow actor Lee Ho-jae and playwright Oh Taeseok joined National Theater Company of Korea (NTCK). He played various characters as an actor of the National Theater Company.
In 1977, Jeon joined The Dongnang Repertory World Tour. The troupe performed as part of the World Theater Month commemorative event, sponsored by the USA headquarters of the International Association of Dramatic Arts, in New York, US from March 15. Following this event, the troupe toured various cities in the US, including Dallas, Minneapolis, Los Angeles, and Hawaii, as well as Lane in France, Paris, and the Netherlands, to showcase their level of theater to audiences worldwide.
The repertoire of the world tour included "Tae" and "Prince Ha Myeol", an adaptation by Ahn Min-soo from Shakespeare's Hamlet. "Tae", which was announced in the spring and fall of 1974 and the fall of 1975, portrays the history of the early Yi Dynasty surrounding the usurpation of the throne and the tragedy of Saksin. Before their departure, the troupe presented one of their tour works, "Tae", written by Tae-seok Oh and directed by Ahn Min-soo, from February 22 to 24 at the annex of the Seoul Civic Center. This event was sponsored by JoongAng Ilbo and Dongyang Broadcasting.
In 1981, Jeon became widely known to the general public by playing the role of a monk with Ahn Seong-ki in director Im Kwon-taek's film 'Mandala'. “When I filmed with director Lim, he showed respect to the extras and supporting actors. I felt a sense of respect as a human being. If Yoo Chi-jin, Hae-rang Lee, and Young-woong Lim paved the way for me in theater, director Lim is like that in film.”
He became popular with Sanwoolim's 'Waiting for Godot'.
After gaining popularity with 'Mandala', offers to appear on the night stage followed. They said that they would pay a lot of money if they appeared in monk clothes and sang. The arrangers said that locusts are in season, so grab your share when they are popular. Then he replied: “I am not a locust, I am Jeon Mu-song.” Since then, he has appeared frequently on TV screens, especially through 'TV Literature' and showed off his outstanding acting skills. Even so, he always kept the theater stage.
In 1983, Jeon founded his own theater company, Jihyeon, and a year later, in 1984, he became a member of the theater company Sanwoolim. In 1992, he founded the Theater Development Research Association and became its representative. Two years later, in 1994, he were invited to participate in the World Youth Theater Festival in Okinawa, Japan.
In 1995, Jeon was part of the Housekeeping Coordinator. It is clear from their varied experiences that they have had a long and successful career in theater, participating in different productions and theater companies, touring internationally, and even founding their own theater company and research association.
Jeon is also the subject of an internet meme titled "High Expectations Asian Father" wherein his image, taken from his cameo in the film Epitaph, is paired with an exaggerated quote usually associated with the stereotypical image of an Asian parent trying to set a high standard for their children.
Since 2006, he has been active as an artistic director of the Gyeonggi Provincial Theater Company. In this literary concert, he narrates Kim Dong-in's potato, Hyun Jin-geon's lucky day, and Love Letter with Superintendent B.
The play 'Life Delivery', which commemorates the 58th anniversary of actor Jeon Moo-song (79)'s debut and the 80th birthday, will premiere from February 4 to 7 at the Palgong Hall of Daegu Culture and Arts Centre. Co-hosted by Daegu Culture and Arts Centre and Theatre Company Haru, this is a work that depicts the story of a former vice principal and a barber who lives as a silver courier after leaving office. Jeon Moo-song, Kang In-deok plays the role of Lee Jin-beop, the former vice principal, and Choi Jong-won plays the role of Jang Ga-wi, the barber. Kim Gun-pyo is a professor of theatre and film at Daekyung University.

## Personal life

Jeon Moo-song tied the knot with Lee Ki-soon in 1970, who happened to be a friend of his younger sister. The couple welcomed two children into their family - a daughter named Jeon Hyeon-ah and a son named Jeon Jin-woo. Unfortunately, due to financial constraints, when their daughter Hyeon-ah was born, she had to be taken care of by Lee's family. At the time, Jeon's wife did many odd jobs. She would take goods from weaving factory, wear them on her head, and sell them at a wholesale store in Namdaemun Market. Despite the challenges they faced, their daughter Hyeon-ah went on to become a successful playwright also actress and is now married Kim Jin-man who pursued a career as a theater director. Additionally, Jeon's son Jin-woo also became an actor and is now married to actress Kim Mi-rim.

## Filmography
### Film

| Year | Title | Role |
| 1978 | Acting Class | |
| 1981 | Mandala | Ji-san |
| 1982 | Abengo Airborne Corps | Operations staff |
| 1982 | Woman of Fire '82 | |
| 1982 | The Chrysanthemum and the Clown | |
| 1983 | Women Don't Fear the Night | |
| 1984 | The Woman Who Shot the Man | Jung In-ho |
| 1984 | To My Children with Love | |
| 1984 | The Fire of Tandra | Lawyer Moon |
| 1984 | You Can't Stop a Flowing River | |
| 1985 | Adultery Tree | |
| 1985 | Deer Hunting | |
| 1985 | Graduation Journey | |
| 1986 | Gilsoddeum | |
| 1986 | Hwang Jin-ie | |
| 1986 | Seoul Is Cloudy with Rain Showers | |
| 1987 | Our Joyful Young Days | |
| 1987 | Prince Yeonsan | |
| 1987 | Gorgeous Transformation | |
| 1987 | Son of Wind | |
| 1987 | Hello, God | |
| 1988 | Adada | Father |
| 1988 | The Chameleon's Poem | Poet Cheon |
| 1988 | Wasteland | |
| 1988 | The Isle of Shiro | Min-woo |
| 1989 | Come Come Come Upward | Monk |
| 1989 | Seoul Rainbow | Artist Na |
| 1989 | Gagman | Director |
| 1989 | Country of Fire | Company president Shin |
| 1990 | Moonlight Over University Town | Heo Byung-soo |
| 1990 | My Love, My Bride | Editor-in-chief |
| 1991 | Stairways of Heaven | Jung Gi-seob |
| 1991 | Beyond the Mountain | Mu-bul |
| 1991 | Silver Stallion | Hwang Hun-jang |
| 1991 | For Agnes | Father Kim |
| 1991 | Mary Jane | |
| 1991 | Fire and Blood | Jung Sa-yong |
| 1992 | Bihwang | Juk-san |
| 1992 | Twenty Seven Roses | Kyung-ja's father |
| 1992 | Easy Virtue | |
| 1993 | In Your Name When the Morning Comes | Jang-gil |
| 1993 | A Honeymoon Trip | |
| 1994 | In a Handful of Time | Professor Lee |
| 1994 | Young Lover | Professor Oh |
| 1995 | Mugoonghwa - Korean National Flower | Kim Hyung-jin |
| 1995 | 48 + 1 | Hong-seok |
| 1995 | Rehearsal | |
| 1996 | Love Story | Man at furniture store |
| 1996 | Albatross | Soryeong |
| 1996 | Crocodile | Grandfather |
| 1997 | D-Day | |
| 1997 | Robinson Crusoe '97 (re-released in 2013 as Kid Cast Away 2013) | Old man |
| 1998 | Blues | Sergeant Go |
| 1998 | Sung-chul | |
| 1999 | White Valentine | Kim Jeong-min's grandfather |
| 1999 | The Harmonium in My Memory | Principal Hwang |
| 1999 | Cinematographer Jung Il-sung: 색과 빛으로 조율하는 아픔! | Documentary interviewer |
| 2001 | Turtle Hero | Dragon King |
| 2002 | Yesterday | Priest |
| 2002 | Dig or Die | Jin-hee |
| 2003 | Garden of Heaven | Choi Moon-do |
| 2003 | A Little Monk | Woodcutter |
| 2007 | Epitaph | Professor Park Jung-nam (cameo) |
| 2007 | M | Bartender |
| 2008 | Little Prince | Hee-soo's father |
| 2008 | Eye for an Eye | Ahn Hyeok-tae (cameo) |
| 2009 | My Father | Father |
| 2010 | Hear the Song of the Woods | |
| 2011 | Beautiful Legacy | Dr. Lee Myeong-sik |
| 2012 | Snow Is on the Sea | Dr. Jo |
| 2014 | 100 Great Years of Korean Cinema | Documentary commentary |
| 2014 | My Love, My Bride | Pan Hae-il |
| 2016 | The Bacchus Lady | Jae-woo |
| 2016 | Curtain Call | Jang Jin-tae |
| 2017 | The Bros | Choon-bae (special appearance) |
| 2022 | Life Is Beautiful | |
| 2024 | Dead Man | |

### Television series

| Year | Title | Role | Notes |
| 1981 | First Republic | Yi Kwang-su | |
| 1983 | The Foundation | Yi Saek | |
| 1984 | 500 Years of Joseon: The Ume Tree in the Midst of the Snow | Han Hwak | |
| 1986 | Wonhyo Daesa | Wonhyo | |
| 1987 | Eldest Sister-in-law | | |
| 1989 | Wangrung's Kin | Hwang Il-cheon | |
| 1990 | Freezing Point | | |
| 1990 | In Search of og | | |
| 1990 | Earthling | | |
| 1992 | The Beginning of a New Day | | |
| 1994 | Police | Oh Hye-seong | |
| 1994 | Adam's City | | |
| 1995 | Your Voice | Jung-hoon | |
| 1996 | Colors | | (episode 3: "The Reason Gray Is Beautiful") |
| 1996 | Reporting for Duty | General Cha Hyung-oh, 6th Infantry Division | |
| 1996 | Im Kkeok-jeong | Seo Rim | |
| 1998 | Until the Azalea Blooms | | |
| 1998 | The King and the Queen | King Munjong | |
| 1999 | Queen | Jang-mi's father | |
| 1999 | Kuk-hee | Jang Tae-hwa | |
| 2000 | Look Back in Anger | Chief of police | |
| 2000 | Taejo Wang Geon | Choi Seung-woo | |
| 2002 | Zoo People | Go Dae-sik | |
| 2002 | Rustic Period | Governor-general Saito | |
| 2003 | Age of Warriors | Dudueul | |
| 2003 | A River Flows in Everyone's Mind | Gyeong-jae | |
| 2004 | People of the Water Flower Village | Yoo Joon-tae | |
| 2007 | Several Questions That Make Us Happy | | |
| 2008 | Bichunmoo | | (voice) |
| 2009 | Empress Cheonchu | Lee Ji-baek | |
| 2009 | Two Wives | Yoon Jang-soo | |
| 2009 | The Queen Returns | Chairman Kang | |
| 2010 | Quiz of God 2 | | (guest) |
| 2010 | First Marriage | Elder Hwang | |
| 2011 | Umjine | Jinsa Kim | |
| 2011 | Brain | Kim Shin-woo | (guest) |
| 2011 | Insu, the Queen Mother | King Sejong | |
| 2012 | The King of Dramas | Watanabe | |
| 2013 | A Tale of Two Sisters | Han Ki-seok | |
| 2019 | Birthday Letter | old Kim Moo-gil | |
| 2020 | Money Game | Elder Kwak | |
| 2020 | Nobody Knows | Kwon Jae-chun | |
| 2020 | The King: Eternal Monarch | Lee Jong-in / Prince Buyeong | |
| 2022 | Tomorrow | Lee Young-cheon | Cameo |
| 2022 | If You Wish Upon Me | Mr. Byun | |

### Variety show

| Year | Title | Notes |
| 1997–1998 | Saturday Mystery Theatre | Host |
| 2011–present | The Clinic for Married Couples: Love and War - Season 2 | Chief judge |
| 2013 | Onya Onya (Yes Yes) | Cast member |

## Theater
### As member of Dongnang Repertoire Theater Company

Theater performances as member of Dongnang Repertoire Theater Company :
| Year | Title | Title | Role | Theater | Date | Note(s) |
| Year | English | Korean | Role | Theater | Date | Note(s) |
| 1964 | Tale of Chunhyang | 춘향전 | Lee Mongryong | Namsan Drama Center | April 7 to 12 | |
| 1964 | Othello | 오셀로 | James | Namsan Drama Center | — | |
| 1964 | Prince of Magic/The Demon Prince | 마의태자 | Pil Seon | Namsan Drama Center | September 23 to 28 | |
| 1965 | Shame | 수치 | | Namsan Drama Center | April 1 to 4 | |
| 1965 | Pungwoon Anagyu | 풍운아나운규 | | Namsan Drama Center | June 3 to 7 | |
| 1965 | Daechunhyangjeon | 대춘향전 | | Namsan Drama Center | December 10 to 12 | |
| 1966 | Smoking a cigarette | 담배내기 | | Namsan Drama Center | February 2 to 4 | |
| 1966 | Shame | 수치 | | Namsan Drama Center | March 9–12 | |
| 1967 | Sanha-dashi Purojiri | 산하는다시푸르러지리 | | Namsan Drama Center | February 1 to 4 | |
| 1967 | Sanha-dashi Purojiri | 산하는다시푸르러지리 | | Namsan Drama Center | February 6 to March 1 | |
| 1970 | The Birthday Party | 생일파티 | Stanley Webber | Namsan Drama Center | October 5–20 | |
| 1971 | Surplus or not | 잉여부부 | | Namsan Drama Center | October 1–10 | |
| 1972 | Sootduki Play adaptation of Scapin the Schemer | 쇠뚝이놀이-스카펭의간계 | Scapin | National Theater | April 17–21 | |
| 1972 | Romeo and Juliet | 로미오와 줄리엣 | | Namsan Drama Center | 1972.9.30–10.9 | |
| 1973 | Grass Tomb (Chobun) | 초분 | ensemble casts | Namsan Drama Center | 1973.4.4-4.15 | |
| 1973 | King Lear | 리어왕 | King Lear | Namsan Drama Center | 1973.11.1–11.18 | |
| 1974 | The Birthday Party | 생일파티 | Stanley Webber | Myongdong Arts Theater | April 18 to 22 | |
| 1974 | Tae (Lifecord) | 태 | King Sejo | Myongdong Arts Theater | April 18 to 22 | |
| 1974 | Tae (Lifecord) | 태 | King Sejo | Namsan Drama Center | May 17 to June 30 | |
| 1974 | Succession a.k.a Mass Game | 출세기 (일명 "매스·게임") | | Namsan Drama Center | 1974.10.20–11.6 | |
| 1975 | Grass Tomb (Chobun) | 초분 | ensemble | Namsan Drama Center | April 13 to 26 | |
| 1975 | Grass Tomb (Chobun) | 초분 | ensemble | Namsan Drama Center | May 8 to 9 | |
| 1975 | Prince of Magic/The Demon Prince | 마의태자 | Pil Seon | Myeongdong Arts Theater | July 3 to 7 | |
| 1975 | Prince of Magic/The Demon Prince | 마의태자 | Pil Seon | Busan Civic Center | August 16 to 17 | |
| 1975 | Barefoot in the Park | 맨발로공원을 | Paul Bratter | Namsan Drama Center | October 9 to 20 | |
| 1975 | Tae (Lifecord) | 태 | King Sejo | Namsan Drama Center | November 8 to 16 | |
| 1976 | Succession a.k.a Mass Game | 출세기 (일명 "매스·게임") | | Namsan Art Center | June 6 to 16 | |

### As part of Dongnang Repertoire World Tour

Theater performances as part of Dongrang Repertoire World Tour :
| Year | Title | Title | Role | Theater | Date | Ref. |
| Year | English | Korean | Role | Theater | Date | Ref. |
| 1977 | Dongnang Repertory Theater Company's World Tour Return Commemorative Performance — Lifecord | 동랑레퍼터리극단 해외순회기념공연: 태 | Shin Suk-ju | Civic Hall Annex building | February 22–24 | |
| 1977 | Dongnang Repertory Theater Company's World Tour Return Commemorative Performance — Prince Ha-myeol (Hamlet) | 동랑레퍼터리극단 해외순회기념공연: 하멸태자 | Crown Prince Hamyeol | tour of 16 cities in 3 countries in the United States, France and the Netherlands | March 9–May 30 | |
| 1977 | ITI US Headquarters' World Theater Day invitation performance— Prince Ha-myeol (Hamlet) | 하멸태자 | Crown Prince Hamyeol | ITI US Headquarters Civic Center Annex | June 15–June 20 | |

### As member of NTOK

Theater play performances as member National Theatre Company of Korea :
| Year | Title | Title | Role | Theater | Date | Note |
| Year | English | Korean | Role | Theater | Date | Note |
| 1975 | Jingbirok | 징비록 | Ancestor | National Theater Grand Theater | March 1 to 9 | |
| 1975 | The Myth of Gorangpo | 고랑포의 신화 | Dumasusa | National Theater Grand Theater | June 24 to 29 | |
| 1975 | Wild Field | 광야 | Seo Kwang-soo | National Theater Grand Theater | August 6 to 11 | |
| 1975 | Wilhelm Tell | 빌헬름 텔 | Ludenz | National Theater Grand Theater | November 27 to December 1 | |
| 1976 | Roar | 함성 | Lim Byung-chan | National Theater Grand Theatre | Feb 27 to Mar 2 | |
| 1976 | Sontag Hotel | 손탁호텔 | Lim Cheol-gyu | National Theater Grand Theatre | June 10 to 13 | |
| 1976 | Night of January 16th | 1월 16일 밤에 생긴 일 | juror | National Theater Small Theatre | August 27 to 30 | |
| 1976 | Peer Gynt | 페르귄트 | Peer Gynt | National Theater Grand Theatre | September 24 to 28 | |
| 1976 | A Graveyard Looking Northward | 북향묘 | Lee Seong-gye | National Theater Grand Theatre | November 25 to 29 | |
| 1977 | Chorip-dong (Boy with a Straw Hat) | 초립동 | General Gyebaek | National Theater Grand Theatre | March 2 to 6 | |
| 1977 | Faust | 파우스트 | Wagner | National Theater Grand Theatre | June 29 to July 3 | |
| 1977 | The Late Christoper Bean | 크리스토퍼의 죽음 | Haget | National Theater Small Theatre | September 15 to 19 | |
| 1978 | Forest of Massacre | 학살의 숲 | Ha Myung-ho | National Theater Grand Theatre | November 24 to 28 | |
| 1978 | Emile Bell | 에밀레종 | Il-jeon | National Theater Grand Theatre | March 1 to 5 | |
| 1978 | Look Homeward, Angel: a Story of the buried life | 천사여 고향을 보라 | Ben | National Theater Small Theatre | April 19 to 28 | |
| 1978 | Heihe | 흑하 | Choi Jin-dong | National Theater Grand Theatre | June 21 to 24 | |
| 1978 | Look Homeward, Angel: Story of the buried life | 천사여 고향을 보라 | Ben | National Theater Small Theatre | June 30 to July 3 | |
| 1978 | Splash | 물보라 | Shin Ki-ri | National Theater Small Theatre | September 15 to 24 | ship owner |
| 1978 | Splash | 물보라 | Shin Ki-ri | National Theater Small Theatre | November 8 to 12 | |
| 1979 | Guest House | 객사 | Daedal | National Theater Grand Theatre | February 28 to March 4 | |
| 1979 | Dom Juan | 동쥐앙 | Snagarelle | National Theater Small Theatre | April 19 to 26 | |
| 1979 | Becket | 베케트 | Becket | National Theater Grand Theatre | June 26 to July 2 | |
| 1979 | Munyeodo (The Portrait of Shaman) | 무녀도 | villain | National Theater Small Theatre | September 4 to 13 | |
| 1979 | Sachugi | 사추기 | Kim Sam-mak | National Theater Small Theatre | December 12 to 18 | |
| 1990 | Namhansanseong Fortress - The National Tragedy of the Manchu War | 남한산성 - 병자호란의 민족적비극 | 마부대 | National Theater Grand Theater | October 21 | |

### Theater play with Sanwoollim Small Theater

Theater play performances with Sanwoollim Small Theater :
| Year | Title | Title | Role | Theater | Date | Ref. |
| Year | English | Korean | Role | Theater | Date | Ref. |
| 1982 | Jurassic People | 쥬라기(紀)의 사람들 | People | Arts Center Grand Theater in Daehak-ro, Seoul | Oct 7–12 | |
| 1982 | Crime and Punishment | 죄와 벌 | Raskolnikov | Soongeui Music Hall, Seoul | Dec 13–21 | |
| 1984 | Chunhyangjeon | 춘향전 | Byeon Hak-do | Namsan Arts Center Drama Center | October 29 to November 4 | |
| 1988 | Death of a Salesman | 세일즈맨의 죽음 | Willy Loman | | | |
| 1990 | Death of a Salesman | 세일즈맨의 죽음 | Willy Loman | Gumi Culture & Arts Center Grand Performance Hall | February 16 to 17 | |
| 1993 | Pollack Head | 북어대가리 | Warehouse keeper Jaang | Seongjwa Small Theater | March 11 to 28 | |
| 1994 | Waiting for Godot | 고도를 기다리며 | Vladimir | Sanullim Small Theater | | |
| 1994 | Stalin | | Stalin | Gangnam | June | |
| 1994 | Pupa | 번데기 | Shim Jae-ho | Culture and Art Hall Grand Theater | December 21 to 27 | |
| 1997 | Civic Theater - 1st Special Feature Approach to Civic Theater, 2nd Special Feature Theater Father, 3rd Special Feature Seoul Metropolitan Theater Foundation | 시민연극 - 제1특집 시민연극에로의 접근, 제2특집 연극 아버지, 제3특집 서울시립극단 창단 | Han Jeong-soo, father | Sejong Center for the Performing Arts | July 5 to 27 | |
| 1997 | Hamlet | 햄릿 | Claudius | National Theater of Korea Grand Theater | April 14 to 20 | |
| 1998 | A Thousand Years of Death | 천년의 수인(囚人) | non-converted long-term jockey | Dongsoong Art Center Dongsoong Hall | May 8 to June 14 | |
| 1998 | Citizen's Play - Special Feature Korean Ahn Jung-geun | 시민연극 - 특집·대한국인 안중근 | Ahn Byung p-chan | Sejong Center for the Performing Arts | October 30 to November 4 | |
| 1998 | Out of the century 2 | 출세기2 | Jeon Moo-sung | Daehangno Culture & Art Center Grand Theater | December 12 to 20 | |
| 1999 | Tsuka Kouhei special performance <The Hot Sea ~ A Detective from Tokyo> | 쯔카 코우헤이 특별공연 <뜨거운 바다~동경에서 온 형사> | Seoul Metropolitan Police Agency former chief detective | Culture and Art Hall Grand Theater | April 16 to 27 | |
| 1999 | Mr. Toetja and the Giant | 툇자 아저씨와 거목 | | Grand Theater of Literary Society | July 14 | |
| 2002 | A Streetcar Named Desire | 욕망이라는 이름의 전차 | Friendship Appearance | Cultural Arts Promotion Agency Arts Theater Grand Theater | July 6 to 17 | |
| 2002 | Cafe Blue Moon | 까페 블루문 | Middle-aged director | Cultural Arts Promotion Agency Arts Theater Blue Small Theater | December 17–29 | |
| 2004 | Cafe Shinpa | 카페신파 | Park Young-guk | Sanwoolim Small Theater | 10.26~11.28 | |
| 2005 | A Story of Two Knights and the World of Knight Errantry | 세상을 편력하는 두 기사 이야기 | Knight 2 | Arko Arts Theater Small Theater | March 24–April 10 | |
| 2005 | Death of a Salesman | 세일즈맨의 죽음 | Willy Loman | Arko Arts Theater Small Theater | March 21–June 1 | |
| 2005 | Splash | 물보라 | | National Theater of Korea Daloreum Theater | June 9 to 19 | |
| 2006 | Considerable Family | 상당한 가족 | Han Jo-seop | Ladder Art Center Samo Theater | 17 March | |
| 2006 | Ghost | 유령 | Pastor Manders | Sanullim Small Theater | May 9 to July 2 | |
| 2007 | I'm sorry for dreaming | 꿈 꿔서 미안해 | Dokgo | Sanullim Small Theater | October 24 to November 25 | |
| 2007 | Dragon and Tiger Sangbak | 용호상박 | Ji Pal-yeong | Namsan Arts Center Drama Center | February 17 to 25 | |
| 2007 | Death of a Salesman | 세일즈맨의 죽음 | Willy Loman | Gyeonggi Culture Center | December 28 to 31 | |
| 2008 | Death of a Salesman | 세일즈맨의 죽음 | Willy Loman | Nowon Culture and Arts Center | June 18–19 | |
| 2008 | Death of a Salesman | 세일즈맨의 죽음 | Willy Loman | Gyeonggi Ansan Arts Center | July 5 | |
| 2008 | Death of a Salesman | 세일즈맨의 죽음 | Willy Loman | Uijeongbu Arts Center | July 13 | |
| 2009 | Happy Jinsa Maeng's House | 맹진사댁 경사 | Kim Myeong-jeong | Myeongdong Arts Theater in Jung-gu, Seoul | June 5 to 21 | |
| 2010 | Even If They Betray You | 그대를 속일지라도 | Jang Chang-seon | Arko Arts Theater Grand Theater | June 18–27 | |
| 2011 | 2011 Seoul Theater Festival Invitational Performance: Gaze - The night I moved in, I first heard a man's voice | (2011) 서울연극제 기획초청공연: 응시 - 이사 온 날 밤, 처음 남자의 음성을 들었습니다 | Jun-tae | Daehakro Arts Theater Grand Theater | 05.12–05.15 | |
| 2011 | Death of a Salesman | 세일즈맨의 죽음 | Willy Loman | Biseul Hall, Daegu Culture and Arts Center | October 26 to December 9 | |
| 2012 | Father | 아버지 | Willy Loman | Cinema Center Sky Yeon Theater | April 6–7 | |
| 2012 | Father | 아버지 | Willy Loman | Dongsoong Art Center Dongsoong Hall | April 13–29 | |
| 2012 | Taehwa River | 태화강 | | Taehwagang Grand Park outdoor performance hall | July 13–14 | |
| 2012 | Father | 아버지 | Willy Loman | Lee Haerang Art Theater | September 7–30 | |
| 2012 | Treasure | 보물 | Wang Myeong-seong | Seoul Arts Center Jayu Theater | November 8 | |
| 2013 | Father | 아버지 | Willy Loman | GS Caltex Yeulmaru | February | |
| 2013 | Father | 아버지 | Willy Loman | Icheon Art Hall | March | |
| 2013 | Father | 아버지 | Willy Loman | Busan Cinema Center Sky Yeon Theater | April | |
| 2013 | Father | 아버지 | Willy Loman | Mapo Art Center Art Hall MAC | May 3–19 | |
| 2013 | Father | 아버지 | Willy Loman | Wonju Baegun Art Hall | May 25–26 | |
| 2013 | Father | 아버지 | Willy Loman | Hanam Culture and Arts Center Grand Theater (Geomdan Hall) | June 15 | |
| 2013 | Father | 아버지 | Willy Loman | Hongju Cultural Center Grand Theater | November 23–24 | |
| 2013 | Father | 아버지 | Willy Loman | Sejong Gugakdang in Yeoju | December 1 | |
| 2014 | Please Look After Mom | 엄마를 부탁해 | Father | Seoul Arts Center CJ Towol Theater | June 7–29 | |
| 2014 | Please Look After Mom | 엄마를 부탁해 | Father | Gimhae Culture Center Maru Hall | July 5–6 | |
| 2014 | Educating Rita | 리타 길들이기 | Frank | Vivaldi Park Hall, Building 1, Daemyung Cultural Factory, DCF, Daehak-ro, Seoul | Stepped Down due to health reason. | |
| 2014 | Father | 아버지 | Willy Loman | Gyeongsan Civic Center Grand Hall Daegu | Sep 20 | |
| 2014 | Father | 아버지 | Willy Loman | Grand Theater of the Geoje Culture and Arts Center | Sep 27 | |
| 2014 | Father | 아버지 | Willy Loman | Buk-gu Culture and Arts Center Ulsan | Oct 11 | |
| 2014 | Father | 아버지 | Willy Loman | Jeju Culture and Arts Center | Oct 24–25 | |
| 2015 | Father | 아버지 | Willy Loman | Dongyang Arts Theater 2 (formerly Art Center K Samo Theater) | March 1–29 | |
| 2015 | Father | 아버지 | Willy Loman | Oriental Arts Theatre 2 (University-ro, Jongno-gu, Seoul) | May 1–June 27 | |
| 2015 | Han River Flows | 한강은 흐른다 | Ensemble | Namsan Arts Center Drama Center | 06.18–06.28 | |
| 2016 | Theatrepolis Odyssey | 연극폴리스 오딧세이 | | Dongsoong Art Center Small Theater | April 8–17 | |
| 2016 | Hamlet | 햄릿 | Ghost | National Theater Haeoreum Theater | July 12–August 7 | |
| 2018 | Death of a Salesman | 세일즈맨의 죽음 | Willy Loman | Daehakro Arts Theater Grand Theater | Aug 17-26 | |
| 2019 | Death of a Salesman | 세일즈맨의 죽음 | Willy Loman | Nowon Culture and Arts Center Grand Theater | February 23 | |
| 2021 | Considerable Family | 상당한가족 | Han Jo-seop | Gimcheon Municipal Cultural Center | August 11 | |
| 2022 | Hamlet | 햄릿 | Ghost | National Theater Haeoreum Theater | July 13–August 13 | |

## Awards and nominations

Awards and nominations received by Jeon Moo-song :
| Year | Award | Category | Nominated work | Result |
| 1977 | New York Obie Awards for | Best Actor | Prince Ha-myeol | Nominated |
| 1978 | 1st Theater Critics Awards | Best Actor | Splash | Won |
| 1980 | Theater and Film Arts Awards, hosted by the Hankook Ilbo | Acting Award in the Theater | Jeon Moo-song | Won |
| 1981 | 20th Grand Bell Awards | Best New Actor | Mandala | Won |
| 1981 | 20th Grand Bell Awards | Best Supporting Actor | Mandala | Won |
| 1981 | 2nd Korean Association of Film Critics Awards | Best Actor | Mandala | Won |
| 1982 | Korea Theatre Festival | Best Actor | People of the Jurassic | Won |
| 1986 | 22nd Baeksang Arts Awards | Best Theater Actor | Waiting for Godot | Won |
| 1989 | Best Korean Theater Arts Award | Best Play Award | Jeon Moo-song | Won |
| 2001 | 3rd KBS Correct Language Award | | Jeon Moo-song | Won |
| 2003 | Seoul Institute of the Arts Alumni Association | Light of Life Award | Jeon Moo-song | Won |
| 2005 | 15th Lee Hae-rang Prize for Theater | — | — | Won |
| 2006 | 42nd Dong-A Theatre Awards | Best Actor | Dragon and Tiger Sangbak | Won |
| 2017 | 5th Social Contribution of the Year award from the Korea Family Keeper, an organization commemorating International Women's Day | Social Contribution of the Year award | Jeon Moo-song | Won |
| 2017 | 4th Wildflower Film Awards | Appreciation Award | Curtain Call | Won |
| 2018 | 8th Beautiful Artist Award | Actor Award Theater | Jeon Moo-song | Won |
| 2020 | 65th Korean Academy of Arts Awards | Theater Award | Jeon Moo-song | Won |