Wednesday 5 October 2022 10:22 PM Kim Jung Gi, the acclaimed comic book artist, dies in Paris at 47 of a 'sudden' ... trends now Kim Jung Gi, the celebrated South Korean cartoonist, died of a 'sudden' heart attack on Monday at the age of 47 while in Paris for an exhibition of his work. The influential comic book artist was preparing to leave the French capital and fly to New York City for an appearance at Comic Con when he experienced chest pains at the airport. Jung Gi was rushed to the hospital where he later passed away, according to an official statement shared on his verified social media accounts. Gone too soon: Kim Jung Gi, the celebrated South Korean cartoonist, died of a 'sudden' heart on Monday at the age of 47 while in Paris for an exhibition of his work 'It is with great sadness and a heavy heart that we inform you of the sudden passing of Kim Jung Gi,' the statement began. 'After finishing his last schedule in Europe, Jung Gi went to the airport to fly to New York, where he experienced chest pains and was taken to a nearby hospital for surgery, but sadly passed away.' Born in 1975 in the province of Kyongki-Do South Korea, the lifelong artist officially began his career at the age of nineteen by attending Dong-Eui University in Busan before serving two years in the South Korean Army's Special Forces Unit. Kim eventually got his start drawing for South Korean comic books before he created his own publication called Tiger the Long Tail. He would go on to become 'one of the absolute greats,' according to a series of tweets by Jim Lee, the publisher and chief creative officer of DC Comics. Lee went on to call Jung Gi a 'truly phenomenal talent whose pen and brush wizardry captivated and inspired millions of fans around the world.' Impossible detail: The legendary artist was known for his long drawing sessions, attracting large crowds as he created incredibly detailed scenes on blank canvases, often without any images for reference 'There was no one quite like him,' tweeted C.B. Cebulski, the editor-in-chief of Marvel Comics. Jung Gi occasionally collaborated with Marvel Comics and designed covers for DC Comics as well. Famous for his live drawing sessions, the master artist attracted large crowds by drawing incredibly detailed scenes on blank canvases, often without any images for reference. According to his website, memory was Kim's 'most notable creative asset' and he used it to create the impossibly intricate drawings that 'stretched the boundaries of what many artists believed was possible.' Jung Gi holds the Guinness World Record for longest drawing by an individual and he leaves behind a vast body of work. He published six original sketchbooks and contributed to a wide variety of popular graphic novels and comic books. The legendary artist also frequently documented his lengthy drawing sessions, leaving behind a library of viral videos. Military man: Kim spent two formative years in the South Korean Army's Special Forces Unit and he developed his prodigious memory by memorizing every detail of the many weapons and vehicles he came in contact with on a daily basis 'I give free rein to my brushstrokes to bring to life any object, human, environment or feeling, however raw or undesirable," the artist told The Korea Times last year. "I would love to draw with my hand until the moment I die,' Kim shared in the interview. 'From the tingling sensation I get when my skin brushes past the paper's surface and is smeared with ink, to the rush of pleasure I feel when I watch my brushstroke taking an unexpected turn, I love everything about it.' Kim's frequent collaborator Hyun Jin Kim, CEO of Superani Studio, included a touching message with the official statement. 'After having done so much for us,' Jin Kim wrote to Jung Gi, 'you can now put down your brushes.' Farewell: 'I would love to draw with my hand until the moment I die,' Kim told The Korea Times last year. The creator of Tiger the Long Tail has left behind a vast collection of work, including six original sketchbooks, countless contributions to popular comic books and graphic novels, and a library of viral drawing videos All rights reserved for this news site (dailymail) and under his responsibility