‘The Terrorist’ Director Kim Young-bin Dies at 72, Leaving a Legacy as a ’90s Action Master

Master who opened new horizons for Korean action noir dies suddenly

Director Kim Young-bin, who left a significant mark on Korean cinema in the 1990s, died on the 8th at the age of 72. According to his family and people in the film industry, he died suddenly that day.

Born in 1955, Kim entered the film industry as a key member of veteran director Im Kwon-taek’s directing team. He honed his skills on set as an assistant director on major works in Korean cinema, including “The Surrogate Woman” (1986), “Adada” (1987) and “Come, Come, Come Upward” (1989).

He made his directorial debut in 1992 with “Kim’s War,” based on the true story of Korean-Japanese resident Kim Hee-ro. The debut film earned rave reviews for its solid drama and gripping direction, sweeping major awards, including Best New Director at the 13th Blue Dragon Film Awards; Best New Director and Best Screenplay in the film category at the 28th Baeksang Arts Awards; and Best New Director at the 12th Korean Association of Film Critics Awards.

After “No Exit” (1993), Kim scored a hit in 1995 with “The Terrorist,” a stylish action film starring Choi Min-soo, establishing himself as a leading figure in Korean hard-boiled action. He went on to build a diverse filmography spanning genres, including “Come to Me” (1996), “Phoenix” (1996), “Run” (2007) and “Love Stories in the City” (2011).

His dedication extended beyond film production to the development of film culture. Kim served as executive director of the Bucheon International Fantastic Film Festival in 2011 and 2012, helping expand the creative opportunities available to independent and genre filmmakers and strengthen the festival’s international standing.

Kim’s wake will be held in Room 3 at the Uju Funeral Home in Goheung-eup, Goheung County, South Jeolla Province. The funeral procession is scheduled for 9 a.m. on the 10th, with burial at the Seoul Metropolitan Memorial Park.