Actor-Chef Jung Shin Woo Dies at 58 Following Battle with Cancer
Actor-turned-chef Jung Shin Woo passed away on January 18, 2026, at age 58 after a long battle with thymic cancer. We look back at his multifaceted career and final days.
A life lived twice, both on stage and in the kitchen, has come to an end. Jung Shin Woo (born Jung Dae Yeol), the actor who successfully redefined himself as a professional chef, passed away early on January 18, 2026. He was 58 years old.
From the Spotlight to the Kitchen Counter
Jung made his debut in the 1988 musical Gospel and officially entered the drama scene in 1994 through SBS. In 1998, he was recruited as part of MBC's 27th talent class. However, he eventually sought a new path in the culinary arts, completing rigorous training in Italy and France before graduating from Sejong University's Department of Culinary and Food Service.
A Decade-Long Fight Against Thymic Cancer
Jung's culinary career flourished on shows like The Best Cooking Secrets and Jung Shin Woo’s Kkok Kkok Recipes. But life took a difficult turn in 2014 when he was diagnosed with thymic cancer. He documented his long battle on his personal blog, with his last post in October expressing the physical and emotional toll of the disease, stating that "life has lost all its joy" due to the constant pain.
According to OSEN, a funeral mass will be held on January 19 at 11 AM at Gangnam St. Mary's Hospital. No separate mourning hall has been established.
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