Beloved Actor Park Dong-bin, Known as 'Juice Uncle,' Passes Away at 56

Actor Park Dong-bin, affectionately known as 'Juice Uncle,' has passed away at the age of 56.

According to the Pyeongtaek Police Station in Gyeonggi Province, Park was found deceased by an acquaintance at a restaurant in Jangandong, Pyeongtaek City, around 4:25 PM on the 29th. The acquaintance reported the discovery to the police.

No signs of foul play were detected, and no notes or messages explaining the circumstances were found. The restaurant was reportedly being prepared by Park for its opening next month.

Park Dong-bin made his debut in 1996 and appeared in films such as 'Shiri,' 'Taegukgi,' and 'My Boyfriend is Type B.' He was also known for his roles in dramas like 'The Age of Wild Men,' 'Immortal Admiral Yi Sun-sin,' 'Dae Jo Yeong,' 'Sungkyunkwan Scandal,' 'The Great Wife,' 'Surviving as a Celebrity Manager,' 'Brave Detective Yongsu-jeong,' and 'The Woman Who Swallowed the Sun,' showcasing his unique acting style and approachable image.

Park gained the nickname 'Juice Uncle' from his memorable performance in the 2012 MBC morning drama 'I Think I Loved You,' where he played Park Do-jun. In a scene where his character learns a shocking secret about his daughter's birth, he famously spits out orange juice in surprise. This iconic scene led to similar performances in other dramas like 'All About My Mom,' 'The Great Wife,' and 'The Woman Who Swallowed the Sun.'

In February 2020, Park married fellow actor Lee Sang-yi. The couple has a daughter born in 2023.

A memorial service is being held at the Domincan Funeral Hall in Anseong City, Gyeonggi Province. The funeral will take place on May 1st at 8:30 AM, with the burial at Useong Memorial Park.

Reporter: Kim Ji-won, TenAsia bella@tenasia.co.kr