Kim Jung Gi: Guinness world record holding South Korean comic book artist dies at 47

Kim Jung Gi, world-renowned South Korean comic book artist, breathed his last after suffering a heart attack in Paris on October 3. The Guinness world record holder was 47 years old. His longtime collaborator Hyun Jin Kim posted on Jung Gi's social media about his death.

Gi gained immense fame for being the creator of the Tiger the Long Tail (TLT).

During his stay in Paris for an exhibition of his work at Daniel Maghen Editions gallery, he suffered from chest pain. He was scheduled to visit New York to appear at Comic-Con, but due to his chest pain, he was transported to a hospital in Paris, where he died.

The Daniel Maghen Gallery mentioned in one of their social media posts after his demise, “His sudden disappearance contrasts with the immense happiness he brought us. We are speechless. Daniel Maghen, the entire gallery team, and particularly Olivier Souille, who had accompanied him for ten years, are terribly affected by his loss.”

Gi had also taught in formal academic spaces and was often invited as a guest lecturer at universities about manhwa (style of South Korean comic). He encouraged his students to develop the ability to "visualize the moment," melding observations from their daily lives with images in their imagination.

Jung Gi has six original published sketchbooks and has worked extensively on many comic books and graphic novels. Some of his well-known graphics include SpyGames, Tiger the Long Tail, and Third Humanity. He even collaborated with Marvel and DC comics as an artist.

He attempted the Guinness world record of the “longest drawing by an individual for the Fisheye Art”. He had worked for 4 days, about 20 hours to create a huge fresco that depicts the “living heritage of Penang”.