Actor the late Byeon Hee-bong left us two years ago.
The late Byeon Hee-bong died on Sept. 18, 2023, after battling pancreatic cancer. He was 81. He was once declared cured, but the cancer recurred and he ultimately passed away, plunging fans and colleagues into deep sorrow.
After debuting in 1966 as a broadcaster in the second open recruitment at Munhwa Broadcasting Corporation (MBC), he switched to acting and left a strong presence in numerous works, including dramas "The Lives of Joseon" (Chosun Wangjo 500 Years), "Heo Jun", "Damo", "White Tower", "Solyakgukjip's Sons" (Solyakgukjip Adeuldeul), "God of Study", "My Girlfriend Is a Gumiho", "Aurora Princess", "The Goddess of Fire Jeong-yi", "Pinocchio", and "Blow Breeze".
In particular, he delivered powerful performances through collaborations with director Bong Joon-ho in films such as "Memories of Murder", "The Host", and "Okja", earning the label "Bong Joon-ho's persona." Director Bong Joon-ho once said of Byeon Hee-bong during his lifetime, "He is an actor whom you always look forward to next," showing deep trust and affection.
With "The Host," he drew 10 million viewers and joined the ranks of 10-million-actor box office stars, and he won the Best Supporting Actor award at the 27th Blue Dragon Film Awards. In 2017, he walked the Cannes Film Festival red carpet for the first time in his life with the film "Okja," and received a big round of applause when he vowed, "I will act until the day I die."
In 2018, while undergoing a health checkup after being offered a role in "Mr. Sunshine," he discovered pancreatic cancer, and after treatment he was declared cured. Even after that, he continued to burn with passion, appearing in the drama "Neighborhood Lawyer Jo Deul-ho 2: Crime and Punishment", "Trap", and the film "Quantum Physics". In 2020, he was awarded the Silver Crown Order of Cultural Merit at the Popular Culture and Arts Awards, recognizing his contributions to culture and the arts. However, the recurrence of the disease ultimately took him.
At the funeral site set up at Samsung Medical Center in Gangnam, Seoul, many filmmakers, including director Bong Joon-ho and Song Kang-ho, visited to pay their respects, and fellow actors such as Jeon Do-yeon, Bae Doo-na, and Park Hae-il sent wreaths to express their condolences. Song Kang-ho, who learned of the news during an interview about the film "Cobweb," bowed his head and said, "I'm at a loss. It's so tragic."
To honor the late Byeon Hee-bong's passion, last October at the "Korea drama awards" he was posthumously presented with a lifetime achievement award. Reborn through AI, the late Byeon Hee-bong said, "Thank you for giving me this grand prize. I will pass this award to my beloved wife and children, whom I did not often express. Thank you and I love you," and added, "I cheer for and love everyone who remembers me."
Afterward, the late Byeon Hee-bong's daughter accepted the lifetime achievement award on his behalf and, saying "Thank you for remembering him like this and even giving him an award," choked up and brought tears to those watching.
Two years have passed since his departure, but the late Byeon Hee-bong's sincerity, who wanted to live as an actor until the end, still leaves a deep resonance.
[Photo] OSEN DB, provided
[OSEN]