Veteran South Korean actor Byun Hee-bong passes away at 81

Veteran South Korean actor Byun Hee-bong, known for his roles in 'The Host' and 'Okja', died at the age of 81 on September 18, as reported by a local media outlet.

Veteran actor Byun Hee-bong, who had a career spanning 50 years, has died. Diagnosed with pancreatic cancer in 2019, he had been in remission until the cancer returned recently.

His funeral is set to take place at a hospital in Seoul, although the exact details remain unknown.

Byun Hee-bong's acting career, spanning over 50 years, began in 1970 and saw him become a regular on the



crime show 'Chief Inspector'. His film career took off in the 1980s, with significant roles in 'Eunuch' and 'A Surrogate Father'.

His breakthrough came with the 2000 film 'Barking Dogs Don’t Bite', directed by Bong Joon Ho. He continued to appear in many of Joon Ho's films, including 'Memories of Murder', 'The Host', and 'Okja'. His portrayal of a patriarch in 'The Host' earned him accolades at the Asia Pacific Film Festival and Blue Dragon Film Awards.

His final roles included 'The Devil’s Game', 'The Spies', and 'Okja', where he portrayed the character's grandfather.