South Korea’s entertainment industry is in mourning following the death of Park Dong-bin.
The 56-year-old actor was found dead on Wednesday, April 29, inside a restaurant he had been preparing to open in Pyeongtaek. He is survived by his wife and their three-year-old daughter.
According to The Korea Times, his body was discovered by an acquaintance who had been assisting with the new business. Authorities from the local police station reported no immediate signs of foul play, and no suicide note was found. Investigations into the exact cause of death are still ongoing.
Park is survived by his wife of six years, Lee Sang-yi, and their young daughter, Jiyu, who has been battling a serious congenital heart condition since birth. In a 2024 appearance on the TV program Oh Eun-young’s Golden Counseling Center, he spoke candidly about her diagnosis, explaining that she suffers from left heart hypoplastic syndrome, a condition where parts of the heart are underdeveloped.
Jiyu underwent her first surgery just four days after birth and has since had two additional procedures. During the same interview, Park also shared his concerns about being an older father, noting that he was sometimes mistaken for his daughter’s grandfather and expressing worries about being able to support his family long-term.
A wake will be held at Domin Funeral Hall in Anseong on Friday. His remains will then be taken to Yongin Forest of Peace before burial at Woosung Memorial Park.
