Byun Hee-bong
Byun in 2017
Born
Byun In-chul

(1942-06-08)8 June 1942[1]
Jangseong County, South Jeolla, Japanese Korea (now South Korea)
Died18 September 2023(2023-09-18) (aged 81)
Seoul, South Korea
OccupationActor
Years active1970–2019
Honours Eungwan Order of Cultural Merit (2020)
Korean name
Hangul
Hanja
Revised RomanizationByeon Hui-bong
McCune–ReischauerPyŏn Hŭibong
Birth name
Hangul
Hanja
Revised RomanizationByeon In-cheol
McCune–ReischauerPyŏn In-chŏl

Byun Hee-bong (Korean: 변희봉; born Byun In-chul; 8 June 1942 – 18 September 2023) was a South Korean film, television and voice actor. In 1963, he embarked on his voice acting career by making his debut in the first season of DBS Donga Broadcasting. He further expanded his experience by joining the second season of MBC Culture Broadcasting in 1965.

Making his acting debut in 1970, he was known as director Bong Joon-ho's personal favorite actor, and his performances in the director's films have sparked a fresh wave of recognition for his unique contributions as a supporting actor. He appeared in four of Bong Joon-ho's feature films. In Barking Dogs Never Bite, he portrayed a peculiar apartment security guard with a deep affinity for bone soup. In Memories of Murder, he took on the role of a local detective chief, while in The Host, he captivated audiences as Park Hee-bong, the grandfather of the film's protagonist's family. For this role, Byun also won several awards, including the 27th Blue Dragon Film Awards for best supporting actor.[2] In Okja, Byun made a special appearance as Joo Hee-bong.

Early life

Byun In-chul was born in Sinchang Village, Sinpyeong-ri, Buk-myeon, Jangseong County, South Jeolla Province.[3]

He attended Salesian High School in Gwangju. He took up law at Chosun University before dropping out to pursue acting.[4]

Career

Byun entered the MBC actor's auditions in 1965, and made his acting debut in 1970.[5] A year later in 1971, he became a regular on the landmark police procedural Chief Inspector. At the time of his debut, he used his real name, Byeon In-cheol, but in 1977, in an attempt to improve his image as a villain, he used the stage name Byun Hee-bong.[6]

Throughout the 1970s, he became known on TV as a character actor who played eccentric men who didn't quite fit in with mainstream Korean society. He transitioned to the big screen in the 1980s, and earlier in his film career, starred in the classic Lee Doo-yong film Eunuch (1986) and A Surrogate Father (1993).[7]

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.[8] It rejuvenated his career, and Bong would later cast him in the short film Sink & Rise (2004), and his seminal works crime drama Memories of Murder (2003) and monster movie The Host (2006).[9][10][11] The Host became the top-grossing Korean film of all time, and Byun won much acclaim for his performance as the strong-willed patriarch of a "loser" family, including Best Supporting Actor awards at the Asia Pacific Film Festival and Blue Dragon Film Awards.[12][13]

Among Byun's other notable roles were in martial arts fantasy Volcano High (2001), rural dramedy My Teacher, Mr. Kim (2003), horror comedy To Catch a Virgin Ghost (2004), body swap thriller The Devil's Game (2008),[14][15] and espionage film The Spies (2012).[16] Byun was also known for being active in television, with his portrayals of endearing, humorous fathers/grandfathers, or stern, cunning professionals.[17]

Death

Byun died from complications of pancreatic cancer in Seoul on 18 September 2023, at the age of 81.[18][19]

Filmography

Film

Year Title Role
1980Dull Servant Pal Bul-chul
1983Hotel at 00:00
1985A Man With Color
1986Eunuch
No Woman Is Afraid of the Night
1988We Are Going to Geneva Now
Karma
The World of Women
1993A Surrogate Father
2000Barking Dogs Never Biteapartment maintenance man
2001Volcano HighVice principal Jang Hak-sa
2003Scent of Love
My Teacher, Mr. KimOld Choi
Memories of MurderSergent Koo Hee-bong
Spring BreezeWriter Noh
2004Au Revoir, UFOreal estate agent
To Catch a Virgin Ghost
Lovely RivalsPrincipal Byun In-chul
Sink & Rise (short film)
2005Another Public EnemyByun Hee-bong
Crying FistSang-hwan's coach
Detective Mr. GongGong Pil-doo's father
2006The HostPark Hee-bong
Mission Sex ControlMr. Kang
2007Small Town RivalsCEO Baek
2008The Devil's GameKang No-shik
2009Lifting King Kongschool superintendent
Searching for the Elephantzoo official (cameo)
2010HauntersJung-shik
2011In Love and WarVillage leader
2012I Am the KingShin Ik-yeok
The SpiesAdviser Yoon
2013Mr. GoWeiwei's grandfather (cameo)
2017OkjaHee-bong
2019By Quantum Physics: A Nightlife VentureBaek Young-Kam

Television

Television series appearances[20]
Year Title Role
English Korean
1970101 Hong Kong 홍콩 101번지bit part
1971Chief Inspector 수사반장
1973113 Investigation Division 113 수사본부
1976 Wealthy Merchant Im Sang-ok 거상 임상옥
1978 Government 정부인
1979 Season of Love 사랑의 계절
Last Witness 최후의 증인
Anguk-dong Madam 안국동 아씨
1980 The End of the Line 종점
Power Diary 전원일기 Various minor roles other than Hyeran's father
1981New Madam 새아씨
1st Republic 제1공화국Ahn Jae-hong
1982Market People 시장사람들
1983Trade King Choi Bong-joon 무역왕 최봉준
Sunflower in Winter 겨울 해바라기
Five Hundred Years of the Joseon Dynasty – "The King of Chudong Palace" 조선왕조 오백년 – 추동궁 마마Nam Eun
3840 Shortstop 3840 유격대
1984Five Hundred Years of the Joseon Dynasty – "The Ume Tree in the Midst of the Snow" 조선왕조 오백년 – 설중매Yu Jagwang
Governor-General of Korea 조선총독부 Lee Wan-yong
Chusa Kim Jung-hee 추사 김정희
1985 Wild Orchid 풍란 (드라마) Yu Jagwang
White-haired Youth 백발의 청춘
The Season of Men 남자의 계절Kim Joong-han
1986 Five Hundred Years of the Joseon Dynasty – "Hoecheonmun" 조선왕조 오백년 – 회천문 Choe Myeong-gil
Five Hundred Years of the Joseon Dynasty – "Namhan Mountain Castle" 조선왕조 오백년 – 남한산성Choe Myeong-gil
1987Beautiful Secret Love Affair 아름다운 밀회President Jang
1988 Three Women 세 여인
Five Hundred Years of the Joseon Dynasty – "The Memoirs of Lady Hyegyeong" 조선왕조 오백년 – 한중록Park Mun-su
Our Town 우리 읍내Nam Dae-chun
1989The 2nd Republic 제2공화국
The Fifth Row 제5열Jo Geum-san
Legacy 유산Lawyer Hwang
1990 Daewongun 대원군 (1990년 드라마) Hong Soon- mok
Anti-People Special Committee 반민특위 (드라마) Choi Un- ha
The Handmaid and Gainae 머슴아와 가이내
1991Eyes of Dawn 여명의 눈동자Park Choon-geum
Three Day Promise 3일의 약속
We're Middle Class 우리는 중산층Patriarch Park
1993For The Poet 시인을 위하여
The 3rd Republic Hyun Seok-ho
MBC Best Theater – "Soon-dal and Byung-gu and Ok-joo" Byung-gu's father
Moonlight Hometown 달빛 고향
1994Close One Eye 한쪽 눈을 감아요
1995Relationship Is 인연이란
Seoul Nightsangok 서울 야상곡
Asphalt Man
Glorious Dawn Heungseon Daewongun
1996Halt 간이역
Tears of the Dragon
1997Desire Yoon-seok
Scamper 질주
1998Love and Success
The King's Path
Legend of Ambition
1999Hur Jun Sung In-chul
2000Mokminsimseo 서용보
Secret Chan-shik
Foolish Princes Yeo Jae-man
2002The Dawn of the Empire Kim Geun-ryul
Lovers Gong Hee-bong (cameo)
2003Something About 1% Lee Kyu-chul
Drama City – "The Truth About Wormwood and Garlic" 쑥과 마늘에 관한 진실principal[21]
Damo
2004Good Morning Confucius 굿모닝 공자Go Dok-han
New Human Market Oh Jong-doo
Choice
A Second Proposal
2005Green Rose Prosecutor Jung
My Girl Seol Woong
Drama City – "Gyeryongsan Buyong" 계룡산 부용이Sabu[22]
2006Great Inheritance Jung Il-do
Wolf Senator Yoon Gab-soo
2007Behind the White Tower Oh Kyung-hwan
Witch Yoo Hee Ma Yoon-hoon
2009My Too Perfect Sons Song Shi-yeol
2010Master of Study Cha Ki-bong
My Girlfriend Is a Gumiho Cha Poong
The President Go Sang-ryul
2011Glory Jane Old man Hwang (cameo)
2012Ohlala Couple Wolha, matchmaker of fate
2013Princess Aurora Oh Dae-san
Goddess of Fire Moon Sa-seung
2014Flower Grandpa Investigation Unit Han Won-bin
Drama Festival – "Lump in My Life" Pan-shik
Pinocchio Choi Gong-pil
2015Save the Family Jung Soo-bong
2016Madame Antoine: The Love Therapist President Kim
2016Blow Breeze Kim Deok-cheon
2019My Lawyer, Mr. Jo 2: Crime and Punishment Kook Hyun-il[23]

Theater

Year Title Role Theater Date Ref.
English Korean
2013Snow of March3월의 눈Jang-ohNational Theatre Company Baek Sung-jang Min-ho TheatreMarch 1–23 [24][25]

Awards and nominations

YearAwardCategoryNominated workResult Ref.
1982MBC Drama AwardsWon
1985Hankook IlboPopularity AwardThe Ume Tree in the Midst of the SnowWon
21st Baeksang Arts AwardsMost Popular Actor (TV)Won
1986JoongAng IlboOur Star AwardWon
20032nd Korean Film AwardsBest Supporting ActorMy Teacher, Mr. KimNominated
2004KBS Drama AwardsBest Actor in a One-Act Drama/SpecialWon
200651st Asia Pacific Film FestivalBest Supporting ActorThe HostWon
27th Blue Dragon Film AwardsBest Supporting ActorWon
9th Director's Cut AwardsPerformer of the Year (ensemble cast)Won
200743rd Baeksang Arts AwardsBest Actor (Film)Nominated
44th Grand Bell AwardsBest Supporting ActorNominated
4th Best Film AwardsBest Supporting ActorWon [26]
200844th Baeksang Arts AwardsBest Actor (Film)The Devil's GameNominated
2009KMDb Choiwos AwardsBest Supporting ActorWon
2010KBS Drama AwardsBest Supporting ActorMaster of StudyNominated
2014MBC Drama AwardsBest Actor in a One-Act/Short DramaLump in My LifeWon

State honors

List of State Honour(s)
State Award Ceremony Year Honor Ref.
South Korea Korean Popular Culture and Arts Awards[lower-alpha 1] 2020 Eungwan Order of Cultural Merit

Notes

References

  1. ↑ Kim Eun-ju (23 January 2007). "중년배우 전성시대, 요즘 돋보이는 활약을 보여주고 있는 중년배우 11". Cine 21 (in Korean). Archived from the original on 18 September 2023.
  2. ↑ "S. Korean actor Byun Hee-bong, frequent collaborator of Bong Joon-ho, dies at 81". Yahoo News. 18 September 2023. Retrieved 19 September 2023.
  3. ↑ "국립극단 디지털 아카이브 — 변희봉" [National Theatre Company Digital Archive — Byun Hee-bong]. archive.ntck.or.kr. Retrieved 19 September 2023.
  4. ↑ Han, Sang-jin (24 June 2011). "[한상진 기자의 藝人 탐구 ⑦] 영화배우 변희봉" [[Reporter Han Sang-jin's exploration of entertainers ⑦] Actor Byun Hee-bong]. n.news.naver.com (in Korean). Retrieved 19 September 2023.
  5. ↑ Na, Won-jung (18 September 2023). "송강호 "많은 영감 주신 선생님" 변희봉 비보에 놀란 영화계". Korea JoongAng Daily (in Korean). Retrieved 19 September 2023.
  6. ↑ "李大根(이대근)·邊仁徹改名(변인철개명) 李章玄(이장현)·邊希峰(변희봉)으로". NAVER Newslibrary. Retrieved 19 September 2023.
  7. ↑ "Okja actor Byun Hee Bong dies at 81". Hindustan Times. 18 September 2023. Retrieved 19 September 2023.
  8. ↑ "변희봉 "'괴물'은 단연코 내 대표작"". Chosun Ilbo. 3 July 2006. Archived from the original on 27 May 2012. Retrieved 27 May 2012.
  9. ↑ "Monster Flick Ups Hype With Five-Poster Campaign". The Chosun Ilbo. 14 June 2006. Retrieved 5 September 2013.
  10. ↑ Yang, Seung-cheol (16 July 2006). "That river creature is his baby: Meet the maker of Host". Korea JoongAng Daily. Retrieved 5 September 2013.
  11. ↑ 변희봉 "'괴물'은 단연코 내 대표작". Chosun.com (in Korean). 3 July 2006. Archived from the original on 27 May 2012. Retrieved 5 September 2013.
  12. ↑ "PRESS SCREENING: 괴물 (The Host)". Twitch Film. 7 July 2006. Archived from the original on 2 April 2015. Retrieved 5 September 2013.
  13. ↑ "The Host Set for All-Time Box-Office Record". The Chosun Ilbo. 1 September 2006. Retrieved 5 September 2013.
  14. ↑ Yi, Chang-ho (13 December 2007). "Off beat SHIN Ha-kyun Plays The Game". Korean Film Council. Retrieved 5 September 2013.
  15. ↑ Vijn, Ard (15 May 2008). "THE DEVIL'S GAME Korean LE DVD Review". Twitch Film. Archived from the original on 8 April 2014. Retrieved 5 September 2013.
  16. ↑ Park, Eun-jee (21 September 2012). "The Spy, Covertness offer different takes on espionage". Korea JoongAng Daily. Retrieved 5 September 2013.
  17. ↑ Han, Sang-jin (23 May 2011). 영화배우 변희봉. Shin Dong-A (in Korean). Retrieved 5 September 2013.
  18. ↑ Hwang, Jae-ha (18 September 2023). "원로배우 변희봉 췌장암 투병 끝 별세…향년 81세". Yonhap News. Retrieved 18 September 2023.
  19. ↑ "Byun Hee-bong, veteran actor known for 'The Host,' dies at 81". Joongang Daily. 18 September 2023.
  20. ↑ "Byun Hee-Bong | Actor". IMDb. Retrieved 19 September 2023.
  21. ↑ http://www.kbs.co.kr/drama/dramacity/view/1235888_1355.html
  22. ↑ http://www.kbs.co.kr/drama/dramacity/view/1358662_1355.html
  23. ↑ ""Neighborhood Lawyer Jo Deul-ho 2" Gets a Massive Cast Update". Hancinema. 26 November 2018.
  24. ↑ "국립극단 디지털 아카이브 — 3월의 눈(2013, 서울)" [National Theatre Company Digital Archive — Snow of March (2013, Seoul)]. archive.ntck.or.kr. Retrieved 19 September 2023.
  25. ↑ "Living Over the meaning of existence, the Play Snow of March". K-PopCulture. 5 March 2013. Retrieved 5 September 2013.
  26. ↑ "변희봉, "나이 많은 배우 소외시키지 않았으면"" [Byun Hee-bong, "If you don't alienate older actors"]. entertain.naver.com (in Korean). 7 February 2007. Retrieved 19 September 2023.
This article is issued from Wikipedia. The text is licensed under Creative Commons - Attribution - Sharealike. Additional terms may apply for the media files.