7 Years Since the Passing of National Actor Shin Seong-il: The Brilliant Legacy of a Cinema Icon Lives On

It's already been seven years. Seven years have passed since the passing of the beloved national actor, the late Shin Seong-il, who represented Korean cinema.

He passed away at the age of 81 on November 4, 2018, after a brave battle with lung cancer. News of his critical condition had spread the day before, and his final departure left many in sorrow.

Even after being diagnosed with Stage 3 lung cancer in 2017, Shin Seong-il continued his passionate work, balancing treatment with his career. His appearance on the red carpet at the 23rd Busan International Film Festival, where he expressed his wish to 'remain an actor until the very end,' deeply resonated with fans. His smile, even in his final public appearance, remains vividly etched in the memories of many.

In the TV Chosun documentary 'My Way' aired the same year, he calmly revealed his battle with lung cancer, stating, 'I am not a patient fighting illness, but a person undergoing treatment.' Despite doctors explaining a tumor larger than 5cm in his lungs, he maintained a positive outlook, believing, 'There's an over 80% chance of recovery.' Tragically, the sad news broke just three days after he appeared healthy on the broadcast, deepening the sense of loss.

Born in 1937, Shin Seong-il debuted in the 1960 film 'Romance Papa.' He went on to star in numerous youth melodrama films such as 'Barefooted Youth,' 'The Starry Night,' 'Camellia,' and 'Chunhyang,' dominating the Korean screen from the 1960s to the 1980s.

He was beloved as a 'national couple' with actress Uhm Aing-ran. In the 1970s, he transitioned to directing, helming films like 'The Love Classroom' and 'It's You.' In 1978, he entered politics and served as a member of the 16th National Assembly. However, he later returned to his passion for film, continuing his acting career. He also served as the chairman of the Korean Film Actors Association in the 2000s and showed his enduring passion for acting in the 2013 film 'Vampire Hunter' alongside younger actress Bae Seul-ki.

Korean netizens are expressing their remembrance, with comments like 'I can't believe it's been 7 years already,' 'National Actor Shin Seong-il, you will be remembered forever,' and 'I still feel emotional whenever I watch your movies.'