It's hard to believe five years have passed since Korean actor Park Yoon-bae left us forever. Back on December 18, 2020, he fought a tough battle with
Park Yoon-bae death anniversary pulmonary fibrosis and passed away at 73. This heartbreaking condition stiffens lung tissue, making every breath a struggle—folks say his heavy smoking habit played a big role, and he first thought it was COVID-19 before getting the real diagnosis too late.
His son, Park Jib-man, shared a touching memory: "Dad always called himself the 'Jeonwon Diary countryside bachelor Ungsam-i.' Please keep remembering my simple, warm-hearted father." Debuting as part of MBC's 6th public talent recruitment in 1973, Park Yoon-bae skyrocketed to fame with his iconic Ungsam-i role in *Jeonwon Diary*, later shining in hits like *Immortal Yi Sun-sin* and *Yeon Gaesomun*. What made Ungsam-i so unforgettable? He drew from a buddy in Gangwon-do Cheorwon, turning a plain rural old bachelor into a character bursting with personality that fans still adore today.
In old interviews, he'd reminisce fondly: "I've dreamed of acting since I was a kid. In high school sophomore year, tagging along with a friend to a film group hooked me on movies, sparking that actor fire inside." Fast-forward to 2021's TV Chosun *Star Documentary My Way*, where colleague Lee Gye-in recalled, "He thought it was a COVID positive at first. Docs said his lungs were turning to dust, hardened from all those smokes—by the time he hit the hospital, it was way too late."
Even years later, castmates' tears flow freely missing him. During tvN STORY's 2023 *Chairman-nim's People* Lunar New Year special, *Jeonwon Diary* stars gathered to honor him. Using digital human tech, Park Yoon-bae's Ungsam-i—the eternal young man of Yangchon-ri—came back to life, bridging time like magic. Seeing his spot-on look and voice, everyone gasped in awe: "Why are you sitting there?" "We drank so much together." "Can I hold your hand?" They swapped nostalgic tales, then broke down sobbing, hearts full of love for their forever friend.
