Namkoong Won, a veteran actor and a prominent figure in the golden era of Korean cinema, passed away at the age of 89 on Monday, February 5, 2024, at Asan Medical Center in Seoul. He had been battling lung cancer for several years, according to his family.
He leaves behind his wife and three children, who will mourn him and live his legacy.
He Died After Battling Lung Cancer
According to Won’s family, he passed away after battling lung cancer for a long time. However, no reports indicate when he was diagnosed with it at the time of this writing. Also, there is no clear indication if it was the lung cancer that killed him or if it was just old age, as he was 89 years old at the time of his death. He passed away six months before clocking 90.
See Also-What Is Michael McGrath’s Cause of Death?
A Look At His Bio And Career
Namkoong Won was born on August 1, 1934, and graduated from Hanyang University with a degree in chemical engineering. He made his debut as an actor in 1959 with the film When the Night Comes Again and rose to fame with his handsome appearance and charismatic presence, earning him the nickname “Korean Gregory Peck.”
He has starred in over 300 films, including classics such as The Red Scarf (1964), Woman of Fire (1971), and I Love Mama (1975). He won several awards for his acting, including Best Supporting Actor at the Buil Film Awards and Best Actor at the Grand Bell Awards. He also received the Order of Cultural Merit in 2016 for his contribution to the development of Korean culture.
Won’s last screen appearance was in the 2011 TV series Scent of a Woman, marking his first venture onto the small screen.
He leaves behind his wife, Yang Choon-ja, his son, Hong Jung-wook, and his two daughters, Hong Sung-a and Hong Nari. His son is a former lawmaker and the chairman of Organica.
