Film director the late Kim Ki-duk, who died of complications from COVID-19 in Latvia, marked the fifth anniversary today (the 11th).
On Dec. 11, 2020 (local time), news spread that director Kim Ki-duk had died in Latvia from complications of COVID-19. He was 60.
After buying a house in Latvia, director Kim Ki-duk planned to obtain permanent residency. He moved his residence abroad after a series of controversies at home.
However, in early Dec. 2020 contact with his close associates was cut off, and he tested positive for COVID-19 and was hospitalized in a Riga hospital. But his condition worsened from complications and he died.
At the time, a representative for director Kim Ki-duk also told OSEN, "After confirming with the family, foreign news reports are correct. The family also received contact today," giving a brief statement. The late man's body was cremated locally due to the effects of the COVID infection and the wishes of the bereaved family.
Director Kim Ki-duk was regarded as one of the masters of Korean cinema, winning main prizes at Cannes, Venice and the Berlin International Film Festival, which are considered three of the world's top film festivals.
But in 2018 he was engulfed by the nationwide 'Me Too' controversy. At the time, MBC's PD Notebook aired a segment titled "Film director Kim Ki-duk, the face behind the master" that accused him and actor Jo Jae-hyun of sexual violence. Female actors who had appeared in Kim Ki-duk's films revealed through the broadcast that they had been sexually assaulted by the late director Kim Ki-duk, sparking controversy.
Ultimately, director Kim Ki-duk received a summary order of a 5 million won fine on charges including assault and forced molestation causing injury, and he denied that PD Notebook's report was false and filed a 1 billion won damage claim lawsuit but lost.
Despite his shining achievements, Kim, whose reputation was stained by the sexual assault controversy, turned his steps away from Korea and died lonely in a foreign country.
[Photo] OSEN DB
[OSEN]