Overview
- His family confirmed he died Tuesday at 91 after a career spanning nearly seven decades across theater, television and film.
- According to his agency, the funeral will be held at Asan Medical Center with a procession at 6:20 a.m. Thursday, followed by burial at Eden Paradise in Icheon.
- President Lee Jae Myung called him a great star and a true national actor in a Facebook message of condolence.
- He appeared in about 140 major TV dramas with signature turns in What on Earth Is Love, the High Kick sitcoms, reality series Grandpas Over Flowers, and later stage work including King Lear.
- He withdrew from stage work in October 2024 due to health issues yet became the oldest recipient of a top KBS Drama Award later that season, as colleagues and younger stars shared tributes after his death.