A man in his 60s who was both a dancer and a theater artist has passed away after giving five people new life through brain-death organ donation.
The Korea Organ Donation Agency (KODA) said on the 15th that Park Hyeon-deok, 60, donated his heart, lungs, liver, and both kidneys through brain-death organ donation at Dong-A University Hospital on the 7th, saving five people, and gave new life to more than 100 people through human tissue donation before his eternal rest.
Park collapsed from an intracerebral hemorrhage and lost consciousness while taking a lesson at a swimming pool in August, underwent emergency surgery at Dongguk University Gyeongju Hospital, but never regained consciousness and was pronounced brain-dead.
Jeong had long told the family, "At the end of life, I want to share the wealth and body I have with those in need before I go," expressing a wish to donate. In line with that wish, the family decided to donate.
Born the youngest of two sons and two daughters in Sangju-myeon, Namhae-gun, South Gyeongsang, Park performed with a pungmul troupe at Dong-A University, then after graduation learned acting, mask dance, and madangnori at the theater company Jagalchi. After leaving the troupe, Park worked as a guest actor and arts instructor, taking part in various performances including madanggeuk and pungmul troupes. Until recently, Park worked with local civic groups, dedicating efforts to saving life and the environment and to the preservation and spread of folk arts such as mask dance. Park also joined inclusive theater involving people with and without disabilities as both an actor and staff.
Park had a positive, bright personality, was passionate about the work at hand, and was a warm person considerate of those around. Park donated blood more than 40 times over more than 10 years and farmed on days off to share produce with neighbors in need.
Park's wife, Kim Hye-ra, said, "You were passionate and free, and you lived a life of service, now you have become a star in the sky. I remember you shining brightly on stage. You were someone who felt alive when performing, and now you have given new life to five people and shared hope with more than 100. You have left as you wished, to live in harmony with nature. I love you, and thank you."