Actor Byeon Hee-bong passed away on the 18th at the age of 81.
He was previously diagnosed with pancreatic cancer during a health checkup before appearing in the 2017 drama "Mr. Sunshine" and was declared cured after battling the disease. It is reported that the cancer recurred, and he passed away after another struggle with the illness.
Byeon Hee-bong, who came from the theater troupe Sanha, was active for 10 years and appeared in plays such as "The Agent" and "Cat in the Mud." He debuted in 1963 as part of the first class of voice actors at DBS Dong-A Broadcasting and moved to MBC as part of the second class of public recruitment voice actors in 1966, expanding his career into acting.
He began acting in the 1970 MBC drama "Hong Kong 101." Over more than 50 years, he showcased diverse performances across both the big screen and television. He left a strong impression on the public by appearing in director Bong Joon-ho’s films such as "Barking Dogs Never Bite," "The Host," and "Memories of Murder."
In 2019, he appeared on the tvN variety show "Na Igeo Cham" and revealed his battle with pancreatic cancer, receiving support from many viewers.
He was recognized for his contributions to various fields of popular culture and was awarded the Silver Crown Cultural Medal in 2020.
The funeral is being held at Samsung Seoul Hospital Funeral Hall, Room 17. The funeral procession will take place on the 20th, and the burial site is Seoul Memorial Park - Dalmasa Columbarium in Heukseok-dong.
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