"National Actor" Ahn Sungki Passes Away... Film Industry Funeral Held, Lee Byunghun and Jung Woosung Serve as Pallbearers

Veteran and New Faces of Korean Cinema Gather, Including Shin Youngkyun and Bae Changho
Bidding Farewell to a "Great Star" on His Final Journey

Yonhap News Agency

A major star of Korean cinema, Ahn Sungki, passed away on January 5. He was 74 years old.

The funeral committee for the late actor Ahn Sungki announced on this day, "The deceased passed away peacefully around 9 a.m. in the intensive care unit at Soonchunhyang University Hospital in Yongsan-gu, Seoul, surrounded by his family." The cause of death was brain death due to airway obstruction. On December 30 of last year, he collapsed at home after food blocked his airway and was transported to the hospital, but he never regained consciousness during the six days that followed.

The news is all the more heartbreaking as it came at a time when he was preparing for a comeback after a long battle with illness. Diagnosed with blood cancer in 2019, he was declared cured in 2020. However, a recurrence was detected during follow-up, and he continued his fight against the disease. Despite this, his will to live remained strong. He promised to return with a new film, and in the same year, he attended the opening ceremony of the Bucheon International Fantastic Film Festival in good health alongside Park Joonghoon and Choi Minsik, receiving applause.

The film industry will honor his final journey with the highest tribute, a "Film Industry Funeral." Veteran actor Shin Youngkyun will serve as honorary chairman, with director Bae Changho, a close cinematic companion of the deceased, as well as Lee Gapseong, Chairman of the Korea Actors Association, and Yang Yunho, Chairman of the Korean Film Association, serving as co-chairs to bid farewell to this "national actor."

Yonhap News Agency

Among those who will carry the casket are junior actors who respected the deceased, including Lee Byunghun, Lee Jungjae, Jung Woosung, and Park Chulmin. The eulogy will be read by his lifelong friend, director Bae Changho, and his cherished junior, Jung Woosung, to honor his spirit.

The funeral hall has been set up in Room 31 of the funeral home at Seoul St. Mary's Hospital. He is survived by his wife, Oh Soyoung, and sons, Davin and Philip. The funeral procession will take place at 6 a.m. on January 9, and the burial site will be Byeolgeurida in Yangpyeong.