Overview
- A funeral service and procession were held at Asan Medical Center on Nov. 27, with burial at Eden Paradise in Icheon, Gyeonggi Province.
- His agency said he died of pneumonia around 2 a.m. on Nov. 25, confirming earlier reports from his family.
- Leaders and artists shared tributes, including President Lee Jae-myung, while KBS set up a public memorial for fans to pay respects.
- Culture officials conferred the Geumgwan Order of Cultural Merit in recognition of his lifetime contributions to the arts.
- Across nearly seven decades, he appeared in about 140 major TV dramas and numerous films and plays, won the 2024 KBS grand prize as its oldest recipient, and mentored younger performers after a brief stint as a lawmaker in 1992.