[SPOTV News=Reporter Heo Na-won] Actor Sim Hyung-tak paid tribute to Tsutomu Shibayama, the director behind the beloved character Doraemon.
On March 22, Sim posted on his personal social media, "I heard the news of Director Tsutomu Shibayama's passing... I grew up watching the anime you created, and today I have a family and a life because of it."
He added, "Thank you. Please keep making great work and be happy wherever you are."
Sim also shared a photo of a display case packed with Doraemon memorabilia and plush toys, underscoring his longtime affection for the character.
Tsutomu Shibayama, who directed the Japanese anime series Doraemon, died of lung cancer on March 6. He was 84.
Sim is widely known in the entertainment industry as a devoted Doraemon fan. In 2015, he appeared on MBC's Infinite Challenge and drew attention when he opened up about what the character meant to him.
He recalled that in high school his size led classmates to pressure him to drink and smoke; when he refused, he was ostracized.
When host Yoo Jae-suk asked whether Doraemon had comforted him, Sim replied, "Yes. I used to wish I had a friend like Doraemon."
Later in the episode, when the show ran a Doraemon quiz, Sim answered every question correctly, surprising everyone on set.
