“National Grandpa” Byun Hee-bong, who played the grandfather of popular actors Lee Dong-wook, Lee Seung-gi, and Park Shin-hye, passed away

(Cover image source: SBS “My Girlfriend is a Nine-Tailed Fox”)

South Korea’s “national actor”Byun Hee-bong passed away at the age of 81.

Byun Hee-bong is known as the “National Grandpa”and has guest-starred in many Korean dramas as the male protagonist’s grandfather and other elder roles. Especially in “My Girl”released in 2005, he guest-starred as the male protagonist Seol Gong-chan (played by Lee Dong-wook)’s grandfather “Seol”President”and is widely known to overseas audiences. Representative works include “Monster on the Han River”, “Memories of Murder”, “Okja”, “My Girlfriend is a Nine-tailed Fox”, “Pinocchio”… etc.

None — (Picture source: Movie “Monster of the Han River”)

In the Korean drama “Pinocchio”, he is the grandfather of the heroine Park Shin Hye and the adoptive father of the hero Lee Jong Suk. Everyone is always deeply impressed by his family acting skills.

In 2018, Bian Xifeng was diagnosed with pancreatic cancer during a physical examination before filming “Mr. Sunshine”. The following year, he participated in the recording of the variety show “I’m So Old”before disclosing his condition. He received blessings from a large number of viewers. Unexpectedly, the condition recurred, and he eventually died. He was able to defeat the disease and leave the audience and friends who loved him at the age of 81. During the period of fighting the disease, in order to recuperate with peace of mind and not to worry the audience, he has not appeared in public. The sudden news of his death also made the audience very worried.

In which work have you seen him? Leave a message to share with us!