Byun Hee Bong

Other Name: 변희봉

Age: 82

Birthday: June 8, 1942

Nationality: South Korean

Gender: Male

Byun In Chul, known by his stage name Byun Hee Bong, was a South Korean voice actor and actor. He graduated from Salesian High School and later attended the Law program at Chosun University but dropped out and moved to Seoul where he worked at a pharmaceutical company before joining a theater company to pursue a career in acting. He applied several times to become an actor but was rejected, so he made his debut in 1965 as part of the 2nd open recruitment for voice actors at MBC as many voice actors went on to have successful acting careers. He made his TV debut in 1970 with a role in the anti-Communism drama "Hong Kong 101st Street" and later, he became a cult TV star in the 1970s for portraying eccentric men that can't quite fit in with mainstream South Korean society. However, as trendy dramas became mainstream in the 1990s, there was no room for veteran actors like him, and he suffered financial difficulties as he was unable to work. He tried to leave the country during the International Monetary Fund (IMF) Crisis but could not leave. In 1999, he returned to TV with a role in "The Legendary Doctor Hur Jun" that left a deep impression among the audience and TV critics which lead to a second heyday with roles in dramas and movies. He often mentioned director Bong Joon Ho as the one who rescued his career by inviting him to appear in the 2000 movie "Barking Dogs Never Bite". In 2006, he won the Blue Dragon Film Award for Best Supporting Actor for his outstanding performance in "The Host" and, in 2017, he was able to walk the red carpet in the Cannes Film Festival as cast member of the movie "Okja". He was diagnosed with pancreatic cancer and after a round of chemotherapy he was told he was in remission and suspended treatment. However, the cancer returned and he died on September 18, 2023. (Source: Korean = NamuWiki || Translation = MyDramaList).