Cartoonist Kim Jung Gi dies from ‘sudden’ heart attack in Paris at the age of 47

The Daniel Maghen Gallery also paid tribute to the late artist in a heartfelt Instagram post reading: ‘It is with a great sadness that we inform you of the death of Kim Jung Gi on Monday evening in Paris.

‘His sudden disappearance contrasts with the immense happiness he brought us. We are speechless.

‘Daniel Maghen, the entire gallery team, and particularly Olivier Souillé, who had accompanied him for ten years, are terribly affected by his loss.’

The gallery issued its condolences to Mr Jung Gi’s wife, children, and loved ones, as well as his collaborators and fans for ‘whom his disappearance will leave a great void.’

Mr. Jung Gi, born in Goyang-Si, South Korea, expressed interest in the arts at a young age and enrolled in a fine arts school at the age of 19. He later earned a Master of Art and Design degree at Dong-Eui University of Busan, according to his online biography.

The artist also served two years in the South Korean army as a part of the Special Forces Unit where he was able to memorise the array of different weapons and vehicles.

Mr. Jung Gi has previously said his most notable career asset is his memory, which he developed over a number of years.

‘His ability to render extremely complicated scenes near-perfectly from memory, without the aid of references, has stretched the boundaries of what many artists believed was possible,’ his artist biography states.

He collaborated with several other comic book artists throughout his career, created art for political residences, and illustrated novels and album artwork. He released six sketchbooks during his lifetime and also holds the record for ‘Longest drawing by an individual in the Guinness World Records book.