Director Kim Young Bin, the filmmaker behind the acclaimed 1992 crime drama “Kim’s War” and the 1995 action film “The Terrorist,” has died. He was 72.
According to the Herald Economy, Kim died on November 8 after a sudden illness. His family and film industry colleagues confirmed the news the same day. The report did not specify the illness further.
Born in 1955, Kim learned his craft as an assistant director to Im Kwon-taek, one of Korean cinema’s most revered directors, working on “Sibaji” (1986), “Adada” (1987) and “Aje Aje Bara Aje” (1989). He made his directorial debut in 1992 with “Kim’s War,” based on the true story of Kim Hee-ro, a Korean resident of Japan who went on a crime spree of killing and kidnapping after years of enduring yakuza violence and discrimination by Japanese police. The film won Kim best new director prizes at the 13th Blue Dragon Film Awards, the 28th Baeksang Arts Awards — where he also won best screenplay — and the 12th Korean Film Critics Association Awards.
Kim built a filmography largely made up of hard-boiled, male-driven action films, according to the Korean Film Council. He followed his debut with “No Exit” (1993), “The Terrorist” (1995), “Come to Me” (1996), “The Firebird” (1996), “The Sprint” (2007) and “Love Story of the City” (2011). “The Terrorist” went on to win best editing, best actor and best cinematography at the 1996 Daejong Film Awards, and a best actor prize at the 1995 Blue Dragon Film Awards.
Beyond directing, Kim served as executive chairman of the Bucheon International Fantastic Film Festival in 2011 and 2012, a role that put him at the center of Korea’s genre film scene during a period of rapid growth for the festival.
His funeral is being held at Room 3 of the Universe Funeral Home in Goheung, South Jeolla Province. The funeral procession will take place at 9 a.m. on November 10, and he will be laid to rest at Seoul Memorial Park.
