Veteran Actor Byeon Hee-bong (1942~2023) Passes Away
Prime Time Marked by Bong Joon-ho Works
Actor Song Kang-ho (56) mourned the passing of Byeon Hee-bong (real name Byeon In-cheol), who died of pancreatic cancer.
Byeon Hee-bong passed away on the 18th. According to his family, he closed his eyes that morning due to pancreatic cancer. He was 81 years old. In 2017, before appearing in the drama 'Mr. Sunshine,' he was diagnosed with pancreatic cancer during a health checkup. After battling the illness, he was declared cured but relapsed and passed away.
Song Kang-ho could not hide his grief upon hearing the news during an interview for the movie 'Spiderweb' that afternoon. Meeting with Asia Economy at a cafe in Samcheong-dong, Jongno-gu, Seoul, Song said, "Senior Byeon Hee-bong had been battling illness for about 5 to 6 years. He had improved a bit, but it relapsed," expressing his sorrow.
He continued, "Five years ago, when I lost my father, he came to offer condolences, and that was the last time," reflecting on the past. Then he added, "Occasionally, through Director Bong Joon-ho, I heard how he was doing during his illness, but suddenly like this..." and paused, unable to continue.
Song Kang-ho and Byeon Hee-bong acted together in Director Bong Joon-ho's films 'Memories of Murder' (2003) and 'The Host' (2006). Song said, "After this interview, I promised to visit the funeral with Director Bong." He also mourned, saying, "From 'Chief Inspector' onwards, he delivered brilliant performances in countless works. He was a senior who amazed me."
That day, Song Kang-ho finished the interview and immediately visited the deceased's funeral hall to pay his respects around 6:20 p.m. Director Bong arrived earlier than Song to see off the deceased on his final journey. The funeral hall was set up at Samsung Seoul Hospital Funeral Hall, Room 17. The funeral service will be held at 12:30 p.m. on the 20th. The burial site is Seoul Memorial Park - Dalmasa Columbarium in Heukseok-dong.
Born on June 8, 1942, in Jangseong-gun, Jeollanam-do, the deceased started as a theater actor and debuted in the entertainment industry in 1966 as part of MBC's second voice actor recruitment. He appeared in dramas such as 'The First Republic' (1981), '500 Years of Joseon Dynasty: Snow in the Wind' (1985), 'Brilliant Dawn' (1995), and 'Heo Jun' (1999), as well as Director Bong Joon-ho's films 'Barking Dogs Never Bite' (2000), 'Memories of Murder,' and 'The Host.' Recognized for his contributions to popular culture, he was awarded the Silver Crown Cultural Medal in 2020.
© The Asia Business Daily(www.asiae.co.kr). All rights reserved.
