Actor Byeon Hee-bong (real name Byeon In-cheol) has passed away two years ago.
Byeon Hee-bong passed away on September 18, 2023, at the age of 81. He succumbed to a recurrence of pancreatic cancer, from which he had previously been declared cured.
Born on June 8, 1942, in Jangseong, Jeollanam-do, Byeon Hee-bong began his career as a theater actor and made his entertainment debut in 1966 as a voice actor in MBC's second public recruitment.
He later expanded his career as an actor, appearing in numerous works such as the dramas ‘The First Republic’, ‘The Chosun Dynasty: 500 Years - Seol Jung-mae’, ‘Brilliant Dawn’, ‘Hur Jun’, ‘Neighborhood Lawyer Jo Deul-ho 2’, ‘Trap’, ‘Blow, Mi-pung-a’, and ‘Pinocchio’. He left a strong impression in director Bong Joon-ho's films ‘Barking Dogs Never Bite’, ‘Memories of Murder’, ‘The Host’, and ‘Okja’, earning him the title of ‘Bong Joon-ho's Persona’.
He was recognized for his contributions to popular culture over nearly 50 years and received the Silver Crown Cultural Medal in 2020. He won the Best Supporting Actor award at the 27th Blue Dragon Film Awards for ‘The Host’.
In the following year, at the ‘15th Korea Drama Awards’, he was honored with a special award to commemorate his achievements. During the ceremony, he appeared as an AI and expressed, “Thank you for giving me this great award. Although I haven't expressed it often, I will convey this to my beloved wife and children. Thank you and I love you,” moving everyone present.
His daughter accepted the award on his behalf, saying, “Thank you for remembering him and giving this award,” with tears in her eyes.
[Kim So-yeon, Star Today Reporter]
