Actor Shin Hyun-joon was recently honored at a presidential event held at the Blue House guesthouse on June 27 to mark Patriots and Veterans Month. The ceremony, themed “We Remember Our Heroes,” brought together over 160 national meritorious individuals and bereaved families to honor their sacrifices.
Shin Hyun-joon was specially invited in recognition of his late father, Colonel Shin In-gyun, a Korean War veteran. Wearing formal attire, the actor sat among veterans in a symbolic show of respect. He received a custom-embroidered gift with the message: “We remember the heroes who defended the Republic of Korea – Mr. Shin Hyun-joon.”
The event featured a ceremonial guard of honor, traditional performances, and a heartfelt letter of gratitude read by Army Lieutenant Han Yoon-seo. Hosted by announcer Oh Jung-yeon, the granddaughter of a war veteran, the gathering also included a dignified meal with personalized thank-you notes and floral decorations.
President Lee Jae-myung and First Lady Kim Hye-kyung personally greeted attendees. In his remarks, the President emphasized, “Proper recognition and rewards for those who made exceptional sacrifices for our nation are a duty of our society.”
Shin Hyun-joon has consistently expressed pride in his father’s legacy. On a past TV appearance, he shared, “Everyone who served with my father called him a gentleman. I wanted to grow up to be just like him.” He has also shown his father’s uniform to his children as a treasured memory.
Debuting in 1990 with General’s Son, Shin Hyun-joon has appeared in iconic works like The Gingko Bed, Stairway to Heaven, and Barefoot Ki-bong. Now a father of three, he continues to balance his career with family and service-related advocacy.
