Overview
- His agency, Artist Company, and Seoul’s Soonchunhyang University Hospital announced his passing on Monday, with the Korea Film Actors Association noting he died around 9 a.m. with family present.
- He had lived with blood cancer since 2019 and was hospitalized in intensive care after collapsing at home on Dec. 30 following a choking incident.
- A film-industry funeral will be held at Seoul St. Mary’s Hospital Funeral Hall on Friday at 6 a.m., with interment in Yangpyeong, Gyeonggi.
- The rites are being organized by leading film bodies including the Shin Young Kyun Arts & Culture Foundation and the Korea Film Actors Association, with senior industry figures serving on the committee.
- Over nearly seven decades, he appeared in more than 170 films such as Silmido, Radio Star and Hansan: Rising Dragon, earning multiple top honors including a record five Grand Bell best actor awards.