Author Jeon Kyung-cheol, ‘Peter Pan’s Dad,’ Passes Away; Story of Battling Liver Cancer While Raising a Severely Autistic Son

Author Jeon Kyung-cheol, known as 'Peter Pan's Dad,' has passed away after battling liver cancer. We have compiled the story of how he single-handedly raised his severely autistic son for 27 years, along with his final news.

I think everyone has probably heard of it at least once 😭 The news was reported today that Writer Jeon Kyung-cheol, the father who always appeared on broadcasts with a bright demeanor despite raising his son with severe autism alone for over 20 years, has finally passed away. He appeared on *You Quiz on the Block* and *True Story Investigation Team*, and many people rooted for his story, so my heart feels very heavy. Today, I will summarize who writer Jeon Kyung-cheol is and what his story is.

1. Who is the author Jeon Gyeong-cheol, 'Peter Pan's Dad'?

‘피터팬 아빠’ 전경철 작가 별세, 중증 자폐 아들 키우며 간암 투병했던 사연

Author Jeon Kyung-cheol is someone who has raised his son, Je-won, who has severe autism, alone for nearly 27 years after his divorce. That is it. Mr. Jewon's mental age remains at the level of a two or three-year-old, So, I heard that the author gave her son the nickname 'Peter Pan,' after the character in the fairy tale who never grows up. You became widely known as 'Peter Pan's Dad' as this nickname was used in broadcasts and book titles.

2. When and how was the news of the passing announced?

Jeong Yu-jin, Representative of the Forum of Experts in Developmental Disability Support The news was conveyed on September 6th via social media, stating, "At 7:56 PM on Saturday, September 5, 2026, Peter Pan Dad Jeon Kyung-cheol departed on a long journey." He passed away at the age of 63. His body is currently being held at the hospital, and in accordance with the deceased's wishes, the funeral will be conducted without a separate wake.

3. Diagnosed with terminal liver cancer and the time spent searching for a place for my son to live

Last April (2025), Writer Jeon was suddenly diagnosed with terminal liver cancer and given a six-month life expectancy. He received it. He said that at the time, his first concern was not his own health, but "his son who would be left alone if he were gone." So, he personally went around inquiring at over 1,000 care facilities and institutions for the disabled across the country. They said it wasn't easy finding a place to take in a male with severe autism who cannot speak. Hearing that there were cases where people managed to get in with difficulty only to end up coming back out, I can imagine how exhausting the process must have been 😢

4. The essay 'Hello, Peter Pan' and the readers' enthusiastic support

Author Jeon Recording this arduous journey on the content platform 'Brunch' I started doing it, and this writing became widely known after being broadcast. Afterwards Last June, the essay 'Hello, Peter Pan' was officially published. It continued until... The response from readers was truly enthusiastic; there were about 2,000 supportive comments alone, and approximately 80 million won in donations was raised. Thanks to this support His son, Jewon, is currently living in a community village for people with severe developmental disabilities. Hearing that he lasted about a year longer than the medical team initially predicted, I think he is truly amazing.

5. Establishment of the 'Peter Pan Autism Welfare Foundation': Efforts Continued Until the End

Author Jeon wanted to create an institutional foundation not only for his own son but for all adults with severe autism. For this reason, he has been pushing for the establishment of the 'Peter Pan Autism Welfare Foundation,' and there is news that the Foundation Establishment Promotion Committee was officially launched on the 25th of last month (August). You also made that known. I hear that even after the passing, the work to establish the foundation will continue, led by the steering committee members. I hope that your father's legacy will be carried on well✨

Writer Jeon also left this message for his son on the broadcast. "I want to tell you to completely forget about me as a father and live only for your own happiness, but I am not being honest about how I feel... I wish you would remember me just as, 'I do miss him a moment when I think of him.' Of course, I will be holding the handsome baby in my arms who brought me happiness for 27 years." That's what I said. I think there are many of you who got choked up reading this.

💡 Frequently Asked Questions (Q&A)

Q. When and at what age did artist Jeon Kyung-cheol pass away?

A. Passed away around 7:56 PM on September 5, 2026, at the age of 63.

Q. Who is Je-won, the son of writer Jeon Gyeong-cheol?

A. My son in his 20s has severe autism, and because his mental age is stuck at the level of two or three years old, he was nicknamed 'Peter Pan'.

Q. What is the content of the essay 'Hello, Peter Pan'?

A. This is an essay published last June that records the journey of writer Jeon Gyeong-cheol, who was diagnosed with terminal liver cancer and given a limited time to live, as he searched for a place to live for his son who would be left alone.

Q. Where and how is the funeral held?

A. In accordance with the deceased's wishes, the funeral will be held without a separate wake, and the body is currently being held at the hospital.

Q. What is the 'Peter Pan Autism Welfare Foundation'?

A. This is a foundation that artist Jeon Kyung-cheol has been promoting to support adults with severe autism, and the establishment promotion committee was officially launched on the 25th of last month.