‘Peter Pan Dad’ who moved the nation dies... Hoped his autistic son would remember him with ‘a faint sense of longing’

[Financial News] Jeon Gyeong-cheol, the writer known as “Peter Pan Dad,” has died at the age of 63. He moved viewers with his paternal love for his son with severe autism after appearing on tvN’s “You Quiz on the Block” and other programs.
Jung Yu-jin, head of the Developmental Disability Support Professionals Forum, announced the news of his death on social media on the 6th, saying, “At 7:56 p.m. on Saturday, September 5, 2026, Jeon Gyeong-cheol, Peter Pan Dad, departed on his long journey.”
She added, “In accordance with his wishes, a funeral without a viewing room will be held. His body is currently at the hospital, and no separate funeral hall will be set up. May he rest in peace.”
Jeon had raised his 27-year-old son alone for more than 20 years. Although the son was a young man, his mental age was at the level of a 2- to 3-year-old.
One day, Jeon was suddenly diagnosed with terminal liver cancer and given a limited time to live. Yet he was more concerned about the future of the son who would be left alone than about his own treatment. He struggled for more than a year, knocking on the doors of more than 1,000 facilities across the country, but not a single one agreed to take his son in.
He documented the experience in his essay “Goodbye, Peter Pan.” He also moved many people after being introduced as “Peter Pan Dad” on Munhwa Broadcasting Corporation (MBC)’s “True Story Expedition” and tvN’s “You Quiz on the Block.”
During one broadcast, he expressed his final wish for his son, saying, “I want to tell you to forget the existence of your father and live happily, but honestly, I don’t want you to forget me completely.” He continued, “I hope you remember me as a faint sense of longing—as an old man who once looked at you warmly.”
Readers who learned of his story supported Jeon’s creative work with nearly 2,000 encouraging comments and 80 million won in donations. Thanks to these efforts, his son was able to live in a community village for people with the most severe developmental disabilities.
On August 25, it was also reported that an organizing committee had been launched to establish a foundation.
With the foundation’s organizing committee now finalized, its members are expected to continue discussions on establishing the foundation even after Jeon’s death.
[email protected] An Ga-eul Reporter