Legendary Korean actor Shin Sung-il passed away last Sunday at the age of 81. He was one of Korea's most well-known actors and had appeared in hundreds of films.
Hong Yoo has the details.
Actor Shin Sung-il, who had won the hearts of many from the 1960s onwards with his handsome appearance and intelligence, passed away on Sunday at the age of 81.

"Even when he was going through so much pain, he was talking about how movies should be made. It was so sad. His last words to me were 'thank you' and 'sorry'."

He had been diagnosed with lung cancer in June 2017 and was undergoing chemotherapy when his condition recently deteriorated.

Shin Sung-il made his acting debut in 1960 with the film "A Romantic Papa", and four years later, he had his first big hit in director Kim Ki-duk's film "The Barefooted Young".

He was a top star through the 1960s and 1970s and appeared in more than 520 movies over his 38-year acting career.

Shin also took an interest in politics.
In 2000, he became a member of the National Assembly but was later arrested for taking bribes in connection with the 2003 Daegu Universiade.

And in 2011,he controversially published his autobiography in which he wrote about having an affair.

Last year, Shin revealed he had been diagnosed with lung cancer. But he never let go of his passion for movies, and walked the red carpet of the Pusan International Film Festival last month.
Hong Yoo, Arirang News.