South Korean actor Park Dong-bin has been found dead at the age of 56, leaving the nation's entertainment industry in mourning. The actor was discovered on Wednesday, April 29, inside his restaurant in Pyeongtaek, which he had been preparing to open.
Discovery and Investigation
According to The Korea Times, an acquaintance who had been assisting Park with the new business found his body. Officials from the Pyeongtaek Police Station reported no immediate signs of foul play, and no suicide note was located. Investigations into the exact cause of death are ongoing.
Family and Personal Struggles
Park is survived by his wife of six years, Lee Sang-yi, and their three-year-old daughter, Jiyu. The child has been battling a severe congenital heart disease since birth. During a 2024 interview on the Korean therapy program Oh Eun-young's Golden Counseling Center, Park emotionally discussed his daughter's health issues.
He revealed, 'She has left heart hypoplastic syndrome, where the left ventricle and aorta are underdeveloped. Without a heart transplant or surgeries, she could die.' Jiyu underwent her first surgery just four days after birth and has since had two additional surgeries.
In the same interview, Park admitted to feeling self-conscious about being an older father, noting that people often mistook him for Jiyu's grandfather. 'I'm a 54-year-old father, and I'm worried about whether I can take responsibility for my family until the end,' he said, according to Star News Korea.
Funeral Arrangements
Park's wake will be held at Domin Funeral Hall in Anseong, Gyeonggi Province, on Friday. His remains will pass through the Yongin Forest of Peace before being buried at Woosung Memoria.
