Hwang Hae, one of the most popular actors in Korean film history, died Wednesday of diabetes at his home in Pangi-dong, eastern Seoul. He was 81.
Hwang, whose real name is Jeon Hong-ku, is better known among younger generations as the father of Jeon Young-rok, a well known singer in the 1980s and '90s. Hwang's bereaved wife Paek Sol-hee was also a legendary pop singer.
Born in Kosong, Kangwon Province, in 1992, Hwang made his debut in a film called "Breaking the Wall (Songbyokul TTulko)", directed by Han Hyeong-mo. Since then, he was in a series of hit films, including "Double Curve of Youth (Chongchung Ssangokson)" in 1956, "Five Marines (Oinui Haebyong)" in 1961 and "Farewell Duman River (Tumanganga Chal Itkora)" in 1962, leading the Korean film industry's first heyday in the 1960s.
His filmography also includes "A Fugitive (Tomangja)" in 1965, "Old Man Making a Jar (Tokchitnun Nulguni)" in 1969, "Marines of No Return (Tukongdaewa Tolaojianun Haebyong)" in 1970 and "Look! I've Found Out Wild Ginseng (Simbwata)" in 1979. He mainly played traditional male roles in the films.
According to the Korea Film Archive, Hwang starred almost 200 films during his 41-year long career.
After last starring as the main actor in "A Parrot Made Best to Sing a Song (AengMusae Momuro Ulota)" in 1981, Hwang occasionally took on supporting roles in such films as "Iron Men (Cholindul)" in 1982 and "General Dokbul (Tokpul Chonggun)" in 1987. Hwang retired in 1990 after "Black Republic (Kuduldo Urichorom)", directed by Park Gwang-su.
He won the best actor award at the Daejong Film Festival, one of the most prestigious film festivals in Korea, in 1972 for his role in "The Last Flight to Pyongyang (Pyongyang Pokyongdae)".
Hwang's body will be at Asan Hospital in Seoul until the funeral to be held on Sunday morning. For more information, call (02) 3010-2294.
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