Byun Hee-Bong

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.