'Bong Joon-ho's Persona' the late Byun Hee-bong passes away after battling pancreatic cancer... Today (the 18th) marks the 3rd anniversary.

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Three years have passed since the passing of the late actor Byun Hee-bong (real name Byun In-cheol).Byun Hee-bong passed away on September 18, 2023, after a battle with pancreatic cancer. He was 81 years old.He was diagnosed with pancreatic cancer in 2017 and dedicated himself to treatment, eventually receiving a clean bill of health. However, the cancer recurred, and he continued his fight against the disease until he finally closed his eyes.During his lifetime, Byun Hee-bong appeared on the tvN show *Naigeocham* and personally recalled the moment of his diagnosis. He revealed, I received a casting offer from the Mr. Sunshine team. Thinking, Ah, I need to stay healthy. There is still a place where I can be used, I underwent a health checkup. That is when I was diagnosed with pancreatic cancer.Born in Jangseong, South Jeolla Province in 1942, Byun Hee-bong was active as a stage actor before making his debut in the entertainment industry in 1965 as part of the second open recruitment class for MBC voice actors. Afterward, he transitioned into acting and appeared in numerous dramas, including *The First Republic*, *The Plum Blossoms*, *Heo Jun*, *The White Tower*, *Sons of Sol Pharmacy*, *Blow Up the Wind*, and *My Lawyer, Mr. Jo: Crime and Punishment*.He also left a significant mark on the big screen. In particular, starting with Director Bong Joon-hos feature debut *Flanders Dog*, he collaborated on several projects including *Memories of Murder*, *The Host*, and *Okja*, earning the title of Bong Joon-hos Persona. In 2017, he walked the red carpet at the 70th Cannes International Film Festival for *Okja*.He won the Popularity Award in the TV category at the 21st Baeksang Arts Awards for The 500 Years of Joseon Dynasty: Snow Plum Blossom, and received critical acclaim for his role as the protagonists father, Park Hee-bong, in the film The Host, winning the Best Supporting Actor award at the 27th Blue Dragon Film Awards, the Acting Award at the 9th Directors Cut Awards, and the Best Supporting Actor award at the 51st Asia-Pacific Film Festival.In 2020, he was awarded the Order of Cultural Merit (Silver Crown) in recognition of his contributions to the development of popular culture and arts.His posthumous works include the OCN drama Trap, which aired in 2019, and the film Quantum Physics, which was released in the same year.

Three years have passed since the passing of the late actor Byun Hee-bong (real name Byun In-cheol).

Byun Hee-bong passed away on September 18, 2023, after a battle with pancreatic cancer. He was 81 years old.

He was diagnosed with pancreatic cancer in 2017 and dedicated himself to treatment, eventually receiving a clean bill of health. However, the cancer recurred, and he continued his fight against the disease until he finally closed his eyes.

During his lifetime, Byun Hee-bong appeared on the tvN show *Naigeocham* and personally recalled the moment of his diagnosis. He revealed, "I received a casting offer from the 'Mr. Sunshine' team. Thinking, 'Ah, I need to stay healthy. There is still a place where I can be used,' I underwent a health checkup. That is when I was diagnosed with pancreatic cancer."

Born in Jangseong, South Jeolla Province in 1942, Byun Hee-bong was active as a stage actor before making his debut in the entertainment industry in 1965 as part of the second open recruitment class for MBC voice actors. Afterward, he transitioned into acting and appeared in numerous dramas, including *The First Republic*, *The Plum Blossoms*, *Heo Jun*, *The White Tower*, *Sons of Sol Pharmacy*, *Blow Up the Wind*, and *My Lawyer, Mr. Jo: Crime and Punishment*.

He also left a significant mark on the big screen. In particular, starting with Director Bong Joon-ho's feature debut *Flanders Dog*, he collaborated on several projects including *Memories of Murder*, *The Host*, and *Okja*, earning the title of "Bong Joon-ho's Persona." In 2017, he walked the red carpet at the 70th Cannes International Film Festival for *Okja*.

He won the Popularity Award in the TV category at the 21st Baeksang Arts Awards for 'The 500 Years of Joseon Dynasty: Snow Plum Blossom', and received critical acclaim for his role as the protagonist's father, Park Hee-bong, in the film 'The Host', winning the Best Supporting Actor award at the 27th Blue Dragon Film Awards, the Acting Award at the 9th Director's Cut Awards, and the Best Supporting Actor award at the 51st Asia-Pacific Film Festival.

In 2020, he was awarded the Order of Cultural Merit (Silver Crown) in recognition of his contributions to the development of popular culture and arts.

His posthumous works include the OCN drama 'Trap', which aired in 2019, and the film 'Quantum Physics', which was released in the same year.