Remembering Park Yun-bae: The Beloved Actor on the 4th Anniversary of His Passing

Today marks the fourth anniversary of the passing of Park Yun-bae (고 박윤배), the beloved actor known for his role as 'Eung-sam' in the iconic Korean drama 'Jeonwon Ilgi' (전원일기). Park passed away on December 18, 2020, at the age of 73 after battling pulmonary fibrosis. The news of his death was shared by the Korean Broadcasting Actors Union, which revealed that he had been suffering from the illness during the peak of the COVID-19 pandemic, a time when medical intervention was already too late.

Actor Lee Gye-in, a close friend of Park, recounted on a broadcast that Park initially thought he had contracted COVID-19 due to his persistent cough. However, upon visiting the hospital, he was informed that his condition was dire, with his lungs deteriorating significantly. Lee mentioned that Park had a history of heavy smoking, which contributed to his health issues, and by the time he sought medical help, it was already too late.

Born in 1947 in Cheorwon, Gangwon Province, Park Yun-bae studied theater and film at Chung-Ang University and began his acting career in 1969 as a stage actor. He made his television debut in 1973 as part of MBC's sixth talent recruitment program and gained fame for his role in 'Jeonwon Ilgi'.

Throughout his career, Park appeared in numerous historical dramas, including 'Immortal Admiral Yi Sun-sin' (불멸의 이순신), 'Land' (토지), and 'Yeon Gaesomun' (연개소문), where he often played supporting roles that left a lasting impression. His film credits include 'Yeo-ro' (여로), 'Now, It’s Sunny' (지금은 양지), 'I Want to Cry' (울고 싶어라), 'Arahan: The Martial Arts' (아라한 장풍대작전), 'Two Guys' (투 가이즈), 'He Was Cool' (그 놈은 멋있었다), 'The Unbearable Lightness of Love' (연애 참을 수 없는 그 가벼움), and 'Love and War: The Twelfth Man' (사랑과 전쟁: 열 두 번째 남자). His last notable role was in the 2008 drama 'Little Mom Scandal' (리틀맘 스캔들).