Veteran Korean actor Byun Hee-bong, best known for his collaborations with Oscar-winner Bong Joon-ho, including Okja and Memories of Murder, has died.
He was 81. Hee-bong’s family confirmed that the actor died Monday after a lengthy battle with pancreatic cancer in a statement to local news outlet Yonhap News Agency.
Born in southern Korea in 1924, Hee-bong began his career on the stage before transitioning to TV. Some of his most notable small screen credits include The First Republic (1981), The Joseon Dynasty 500 Years: Seoljungmae (1985), and The Legendary Doctor – Hur Jun (1999).
Hee-bong later moved to the big screen. He is best known internationally for his work with Parasite filmmaker Bong Joon-ho. Hee-bong starred in four films by the Oscar winner: Barking Dogs Never Bite (2000), Memories of Murder (2003), The Host (2006), and Okja (2017).
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