Shin Seong-il

Quick Facts: Who was Shin Seong-il?

Subject:

Shin Seong-il

Known for:

Legendary South Korean actor, director, and politician known for his prolific career.

Born:

1937-05-08

Died:

2018-11-04

Century / Era:

1937s Historical Era Archive

Verified Source:

2Day Chrono-Wiki & Primary Historical Archives

Origins & Early Life

Shin Seong-il (Korean: 신성일; May 8, 1937 – November 4, 2018) was a South Korean actor, film director, producer, and former politician. A legendary actor with 500 films in over 40 years, Shin debuted in director Shin Sang-ok's 1960 film A Romantic Papa and rose to fame through popular youth titles in the 1960s. A star in the 1960s and 1970s, his status as one of Korea's top actors extended well into the 1980s. Shin Seong-il was born in Daegu, South Korea. His first major role was in Shin Sang-ok's A Romantic Papa (1960).

Career & Major Achievements

Shin appears in 51 films that were released in 1967 alone. He also starred in 324 of the 1,194 films that were shown in Korea from 1964 to 1971. In the early 1970s, Shin started working as a film director. In 1978, he entered politics and became a member of the 16th National Assembly before leaving politics and returning to acting. From 2002 to 2005, Shin was the director of the Korean Film Actors Association, serving for two terms (29th & 30th) before handing the position over to fellow actor Ahn Sung-ki.

Enduring Legacy & Impact

Shin's last film was Door to the Night in 2013. In 2017, Shin Seong-il was the main subject of a retrospective at the 22nd Busan International Film Festival. Shin Seong-il died of lung cancer at the age of 81 on November 4, 2018. Filmmaker Lee Jang-ho was working with Shin shortly before he passed with a script for an unreleased film titled Sohwakhaeong. In 1964, Shin married Um Aing-ran.

Chronological Milestones & Life Events

1. 1937 (1937-05-08): Birth of Shin Seong-il — Legendary South Korean actor, director, and politician known for his prolific career.
2. 1960: 1960 Milestone — A legendary actor with 500 films in over 40 years, Shin debuted in director Shin Sang-ok's 1960 film A Romantic Papa and rose to fame through popular youth titles in the 1960s.
3. 1964: 1964 Milestone — He also starred in 324 of the 1,194 films that were shown in Korea from 1964 to 1971.
4. 1967: 1967 Milestone — Shin appears in 51 films that were released in 1967 alone.
5. 1978: 1978 Milestone — In 1978, he entered politics and became a member of the 16th National Assembly before leaving politics and returning to acting.
6. 2002: 2002 Milestone — From 2002 to 2005, Shin was the director of the Korean Film Actors Association, serving for two terms (29th & 30th) before handing the position over to fellow actor Ahn Sung-ki.
7. 2013: 2013 Milestone — Shin's last film was Door to the Night in 2013.
8. 2017: 2017 Milestone — In 2017, Shin Seong-il was the main subject of a retrospective at the 22nd Busan International Film Festival.
9. 2018 (2018-11-04): Passing & Historical Legacy — Shin Seong-il passed away on 2018-11-04, leaving an enduring historical legacy.

Historical Fact-Check Quiz: Shin Seong-il

True or False: “Shin Seong-il's acting peak was solely confined to the 1960s decade.”

Answer (FALSE ❌): While he rose to fame in the 1960s, his status as a top actor extended well into the 1980s.

Contemporary Figures & Related Historical Timelines

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• Ali Hassan Mwinyi — Shared historical date (05-08 · Born) (1925): Key Tanzanian statesman who presided over the shift from socialism to multi-party democracy.
• Alexander Kolchak — Shared historical date (11-04 · Born) (1874): Russian admiral, polar explorer, and leader of the White movement in the Civil War.
• Andrew Dickson White — Shared historical date (11-04 · Died) (1918): American historian and educator, co-founder and first president of Cornell University.
• 1937 Historical Timeline & Archive — Explore world events and figures from 1937
• May 8 (05-08) On This Day — Historical birthdays and events on May 8
• 2018 Historical Timeline & Archive — Explore world events and figures from 2018
• November 4 (11-04) On This Day — Historical events and memorials on November 4

Frequently Asked Questions about Shin Seong-il