In Chul Byun

Byun Hee Bong

  • Name: Byun Hee Bong
  • Native name: 변희봉
  • Given name: Byun In Chul
  • Also Known as: Byeon Hee Bong, Byeon Hui Bong, 변인철, Byeon In Cheol
  • Nationality: South Korean
  • Gender: Male
  • Born: June 8, 1942
  • Died: September 18, 2023
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) Edit Biography
Drama
Year Title # Role Rating
2019 Trap
Korean Drama, 2019, 7 eps
Kim Shin Woo (Support Role)
7
Kim Shin Woo
Support Role
7.9
2019 My Lawyer, Mr. Jo 2: Crime and Punishment
Korean Drama, 2019, 40 eps
Gook Hyun Il (Support Role)
40
Gook Hyun Il
Support Role
7.3
2016 Blow Breeze
Korean Drama, 2016, 53 eps
Kim Deok Chun (Support Role)
53
Kim Deok Chun
Support Role
7.1
2016 Madame Antoine
Korean Drama, 2016, 16 eps
President Kim Moon Geon (Support Role)
16
President Kim Moon Geon
Support Role
7.3
2015 Save the Family
Korean Drama, 2015, 123 eps
Jeong Soo Bong (Support Role)
123
Jeong Soo Bong
Support Role
7.2
2014 Pinocchio
Korean Drama, 2014, 20 eps
Choi Gong Pil (Support Role)
20
Choi Gong Pil
Support Role
8.4
2014 Flower Grandpa Investigation Unit
Korean Drama, 2014, 12 eps
Han Won Bin (Main Role)
12
Main Role
7.8
2013 Goddess of Fire
Korean Drama, 2013, 32 eps
Moon Sa Seung (Support Role)
32
Moon Sa Seung
Support Role
7.3
2013 Princess Aurora
Korean Drama, 2013, 150 eps
Oh Dae San (Support Role)
150
Oh Dae San
Support Role
7.2
2012 Ohlala Couple
Korean Drama, 2012, 18 eps
Wol Ha (Support Role)
18
Wol Ha
Support Role
6.6
2011 Glory Jane
Korean Drama, 2011, 24 eps
Old man Hwang (Guest Role)
24
Old man Hwang
Guest Role
6.9
2010 President
Korean Drama, 2010, 20 eps
Go Sang Ryul (Support Role)
20
Go Sang Ryul
Support Role
7.3
2010 My Girlfriend Is a Gumiho
Korean Drama, 2010, 16 eps
Cha Poong [Dae Woong's grandfather] (Support Role)
16
Cha Poong [Dae Woong's grandfather]
Support Role
8.0
2010 Gumiho: Tale of the Fox's Child
Korean Drama, 2010, 16 eps
Cha Poong (Support Role)
16
Cha Poong
Support Role
7.5
2010 Master of Study
Korean Drama, 2010, 16 eps
Cha Gi Bong [Maths teacher] (Support Role)
16
Cha Gi Bong [Maths teacher]
Support Role
7.6
2009 My Too Perfect Sons
Korean Drama, 2009, 54 eps
Song Shi Yeol (Support Role)
54
Song Shi Yeol
Support Role
7.5
2007 Witch Yoo Hee
Korean Drama, 2007, 16 eps
Ma Yoon Hoon [Yoo Hee's father] (Support Role)
16
Ma Yoon Hoon [Yoo Hee's father]
Support Role
6.9
2007 White Tower
Korean Drama, 2007, 20 eps
Oh Kyung Hwan (Support Role)
20
Oh Kyung Hwan
Support Role
7.8
2006 Great Inheritance
Korean Drama, 2006, 17 eps
Jeong Il Do (Support Role)
17
Jeong Il Do
Support Role
7.1
2006 Wolf
Korean Drama, 2006, 3 eps
Yoon Gap Soo (Support Role)
3
Yoon Gap Soo
Support Role
6.9
2005 My Girl
Korean Drama, 2005, 16 eps
Seol Woong [Gong Chan's grandfather] (Support Role)
16
Seol Woong [Gong Chan's grandfather]
Support Role
7.8
2005 Green Rose
Korean Drama, 2005, 22 eps
[Auditor] (Support Role)
22
[Auditor]
Support Role
7.3
2004 Second Proposal
Korean Drama, 2004, 22 eps
(Guest Role)
22
Guest Role
7.3
2004 New Human Market
Korean Drama, 2004, 20 eps
Oh Jong Doo (Support Role)
20
Oh Jong Doo
Support Role
6.6
2003 Damo
Korean Drama, 2003, 14 eps
[Minister] (Ep. 8) (Guest Role)
14
[Minister] (Ep. 8)
Guest Role
7.7
2003 1% of Anything
Korean Drama, 2003, 26 eps
Lee Gyu Cheol [Jae In's grandfather] (Support Role)
26
Lee Gyu Cheol [Jae In's grandfather]
Support Role
6.9
2002 Dawn of the Empire
Korean Drama, 2002, 94 eps
Kim Geung Ryul (Support Role)
94
Kim Geung Ryul
Support Role
7.3
2000 Funny Princes
Korean Drama, 2000, 130 eps
Yeo Jae Man (Main Role)
130
Main Role
7.8
2000 Secret
Korean Drama, 2000, 18 eps
Chan Sik (Support Role)
18
Chan Sik
Support Role
7.2
2000 Soseol Mokminsimseo
Korean Drama, 2000, 60 eps
Seo Yong Bo (Support Role)
60
Seo Yong Bo
Support Role
6.8
1999 Hur Jun
Korean Drama, 1999, 64 eps
(Support Role)
64
Support Role
7.9
1998 The King and the Queen
Korean Drama, 1998, 186 eps
Lee Geuk Don (Support Role)
186
Lee Geuk Don
Support Role
6.6
1998 King Of The Wind
Korean Drama, 1998, 34 eps
Lee Jong Seong (Support Role)
34
Lee Jong Seong
Support Role
7.9
1995 Brilliant Dawn
Korean Drama, 1995, 100 eps
Heung Seon Dae Wongun (Main Role)
100
Heung Seon Dae Wongun
Main Role
10.0
1994 Close an Eye
Korean Drama, 1994, 0 eps
(Support Role)
0
Support Role
0.0
1993 Youth Theater
Korean Drama, 1993, 22 eps
Park Sam Yong (Support Role)
22
Park Sam Yong
Support Role
0.0
1993 Han River Cuckoo
Korean Drama, 1993, 50 eps
Han Jung Gyun (Support Role)
50
Han Jung Gyun
Support Role
4.0
1993 The Third Republic
Korean Drama, 1993, 26 eps
Hyun Seok Ho (Support Role)
26
Hyun Seok Ho
Support Role
10.0
1993 Walking to Heaven
Korean Drama, 1993, 16 eps
[Gu Yeon Soo's grandfather] (Support Role)
16
[Gu Yeon Soo's grandfather]
Support Role
9.0
1991 Eyes of Dawn
Korean Drama, 1991, 36 eps
Park Chun Geum (Support Role)
36
Park Chun Geum
Support Role
8.5
1991 We Are the Middle Class
Korean Drama, 1991, 16 eps
(Support Role)
16
Support Role
6.0
1990 Daewongun
Korean Drama, 1990, 32 eps
Hong Sun Mok (Support Role)
32
Hong Sun Mok
Support Role
8.5
1989 The Second Republic
Korean Drama, 1989, 41 eps
Hyun Seok Ho (Support Role)
41
Hyun Seok Ho
Support Role
6.0
1989 The Fifth Row
Korean Drama, 1989, 8 eps
Jo Geum San (Support Role)
8
Jo Geum San
Support Role
6.0
1988 The Memoirs of Lady Hyegyeong
Korean Drama, 1988, 62 eps
Park Moon Soo (Support Role)
62
Park Moon Soo
Support Role
8.1
1988 If Tomorrow Comes
Korean Drama, 1988, 8 eps
(Support Role)
8
Support Role
8.0
1986 Namhan Mountain Castle
Korean Drama, 1986, 22 eps
Choi Myung Gil (Support Role)
22
Choi Myung Gil
Support Role
10.0
1985 The Season of Men
Korean Drama, 1985, 73 eps
Kim Joong Han (Support Role)
73
Kim Joong Han
Support Role
8.0
1985 The Wind Orchid
Korean Drama, 1985, 58 eps
Yu Ja Gwang (Support Role)
58
Yu Ja Gwang
Support Role
6.7
1984 The Ume Tree in the Midst of the Snow
Korean Drama, 1984, 105 eps
Yoo Ja Kwang (Support Role)
105
Yoo Ja Kwang
Support Role
6.8
1983 The King of Chudong Palace
Korean Drama, 1983, 27 eps
Nam Eun (Support Role)
27
Nam Eun
Support Role
10.0
1981 Folk Customs
Korean Drama, 1981, 31 eps
(Support Role)
31
Support Role
0.0
1981 The First Republic
Korean Drama, 1981, 39 eps
Ahn Jae Hong (Support Role)
39
Ahn Jae Hong
Support Role
10.0
1980 Country Diaries
Korean Drama, 1980, 1088 eps
[Hye Ran's father] (Support Role)
1088
[Hye Ran's father]
Support Role
8.5
1979 The Lady from Angukdong
Korean Drama, 1979, 160 eps
[Shaman] (Support Role)
160
[Shaman]
Support Role
0.0
1978 Lady Jeong
Korean Drama, 1978, 97 eps
(Unknown)
97
Unknown
6.0
1977 Ok Nyeo
Korean Drama, 1977, 136 eps
(Unknown)
136
Unknown
0.0
1971 Chief Inspector
Korean Drama, 1971, 880 eps
[Criminal] (Guest Role)
880
[Criminal]
Guest Role
5.8
Movie
Year Title Role Rating
2019 Quantum Physics
Korean Movie, 2019,
Baek Young Gam [Chairman] (Support Role)
Baek Young Gam [Chairman]
Support Role
7.3
2019 Trap: Director's Cut
Korean Movie, 2019,
Kim Shin Woo (Support Role)
Kim Shin Woo
Support Role
7.1
2017 Habitat
Korean Movie, 2017,
Chan Ki (Main Role)
Main Role
8.0
2017 Okja
Korean Movie, 2017,
[Mi Ja's grandfather] (Support Role)
[Mi Ja's grandfather]
Support Role
8.2
2013 Mr. Go
Korean Movie, 2013,
[Wei Wei's grandfather] (Support Role)
[Wei Wei's grandfather]
Support Role
7.4
2012 The Spies
Korean Movie, 2012,
Adviser Yoon (Support Role)
Adviser Yoon
Support Role
7.4
2012 I Am a King
Korean Movie, 2012,
Shin Ik Yuk (Main Role)
Shin Ik Yuk
Main Role
7.6
2011 In Love and the War
Korean Movie, 2011,
[Village elder] (Support Role)
[Village elder]
Support Role
7.5
2010 Haunters
Korean Movie, 2010,
Jung Shik (Support Role)
Jung Shik
Support Role
7.4
2009 Searching for the Elephant
Korean Movie, 2009,
[Worker at the zoo] (Guest Role)
[Worker at the zoo]
Guest Role
6.7
2009 Lifting King Kong
Korean Movie, 2009,
[School superintendent] (Guest Role)
[School superintendent]
Guest Role
7.8
2008 The Devil's Game
Korean Movie, 2008,
Kang No Shik (Main Role)
Main Role
7.0
2007 Small Town Rivals
Korean Movie, 2007,
CEO Baek (Support Role)
CEO Baek
Support Role
7.4
2006 Mission Sex Control
Korean Movie, 2006,
Kang (Main Role)
Main Role
7.4
2006 The Host
Korean Movie, 2006,
Park Hee Bong (Main Role)
Park Hee Bong
Main Role
7.6
2006 Detective Mr. Gong
Korean Movie, 2006,
[Pil Du's dad] (Guest Role)
[Pil Du's dad]
Guest Role
7.4
2005 Crying Fist
Korean Movie, 2005,
[Sang-Hwan's coach] (Support Role)
[Sang-Hwan's coach]
Support Role
7.4
2005 Another Public Enemy
Korean Movie, 2005,
Byun Hee Bong (Support Role)
Byun Hee Bong
Support Role
7.0
2004 Lovely Rivals
Korean Movie, 2004,
[Headmaster] (Support Role)
[Headmaster]
Support Role
6.9
2004 Sisily 2km
Korean Movie, 2004,
Old Man Byeon (Main Role)
Main Role
7.1
2004 Au Revoir UFO
Korean Movie, 2004,
[Real estate agent] (Support Role)
[Real estate agent]
Support Role
7.0
2003 Spring Breeze
Korean Movie, 2003,
Writer Noh (Support Role)
Writer Noh
Support Role
6.8
2003 Memories of Murder
Korean Movie, 2003,
Goo Hee Bong [Sergeant] (Support Role)
Goo Hee Bong [Sergeant]
Support Role
8.4
2003 My Teacher, Mr. Kim
Korean Movie, 2003,
Old Choi (Support Role)
Old Choi
Support Role
7.2
2003 Scent of Love
Korean Movie, 2003,
[Secondhand bookstore owner] (Support Role)
[Secondhand bookstore owner]
Support Role
7.2
2003 Sink & Rise
Korean Movie, 2003,
Hee Bong (Main Role)
Hee Bong
Main Role
0.0
2001 Volcano High School
Korean Movie, 2001,
Jang Hak Sa [Vice-Principal] (Support Role)
Jang Hak Sa [Vice-Principal]
Support Role
6.8
2000 Barking Dogs Never Bite
Korean Movie, 2000,
Byun [Maintenance guy] (Support Role)
Byun [Maintenance guy]
Support Role
7.1
1986 Eunuch
Korean Movie, 1986,
(Support Role)
Support Role
6.8
Special
Year Title # Role Rating
2014 Drama Festival 2014: Lump in My Life
Korean Special, 2014, 1 eps
Pan Shik (Main Role)
1
Main Role
8.0
2005 Drama City: Booyong of Mt. Kyeryong
Korean Special, 2005, 1 eps
Jae Gal Ryong (Support Role)
1
Jae Gal Ryong
Support Role
6.0
TV Show
Year Title # Role Rating
2019 What About My Age
Korean TV Show, 2019, 8 eps
(Regular Member)
8
Regular Member
8.0
Articles
Currently Watching: Madame Antoine
Drama Recaps - Feb 22, 2016

Psychology majors, prepare to pull your hair out. Actually, don't, because you won't have any left by the end of the first episode.

Byun Hee Bong

In Chul Byun
0 Followers
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Details

  • First Name: In Chul
  • Family Name: Byun
  • Native name: 변희봉
  • Also Known as: Byeon Hee Bong, Byeon Hui Bong, 변인철, Byeon In Cheol
  • Nationality: South Korean
  • Gender: Male
  • Born: June 8, 1942
  • Died: September 18, 2023

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