- Born
- DiedSeptember 18, 2023 (complications from pancreatic cancer)
- Birth nameByun In-chul
- Byun Hee-bong, a veteran South Korean actor who appeared in several films by Oscar-winning director Bong Joon Ho was born in Jangseon, South Jeolla Province, and started work in live theater before becoming a voice performer for state TV network MBC in 1966.
TV work in the 1980s and 1990s included series including: 1981's "The First Republic"; 1985's "The Joseon Dynasty 500 Years: Seouljungmae"; and 1999's "The Legendary Doctor Hur Jun."
His first reliably recorded feature film work was in Bong's breakout 2000 film "Barking Dogs Never Bite." Byun appeared in significant roles in three other films by Bong: "Memories of Murder," in 2003; 2006 Cannes presentation "The Host" and "Okja" the creature feature which marked Netflix's film production debut in Korea and which also appeared Cannes.
In 2020, Byun was awarded the Eungwan Order of Cultural Merit, the second-highest ranking South Korean cultural decoration, in recognition of his contribution to the development of the nation's pop culture.- IMDb mini biography by: Anonymous
- In several movies by Joon-Ho Bong, he plays a character with the first name of Hee-Bong.
- Byun was also known for being active in television, with his portrayals of endearing, humorous fathers/grandfathers, or stern, cunning professionals.
- Byun won the award for the most popular actor in the TV category at the 21st Baeksang Arts Awards for his role in the period drama series "The Joseon Dynasty 500 Years: Seoljungmae," and best supporting actor at the 27th Blue Dragon Awards for his role in "The Host.".
- In 2000, Byun appeared in a memorable supporting role in Bong Joon-ho's directorial debut Barking Dogs Never Bite, playing a bizarre apartment maintenance man with a love for dog meat.
- In 2020, he received the Eungwan Order of Cultural Merit, the second-highest class of the Korean cultural decoration, from the government in recognition of his contribution to the development of the nation's pop culture.
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