Minister Hwee-Young Choi of Culture, Sports and Tourism Presents Geumgwan Order of Cultural Merit at Ahn Sung-ki's Funeral Hall

"A Beautiful Actor Who Always Cared for Those in Humble Circumstances" Remembered

A medal is placed at the funeral hall of actor Ahn Sungki, who passed away on the 5th, at Seoul St. Mary's Hospital. Photo by Joint Press Corps

The government has posthumously awarded actor Ahn Sungki, who passed away on the 5th, the Geumgwan Order of Cultural Merit (First Class), the highest honor in the field of popular culture and arts.

Minister of Culture, Sports and Tourism Hwee-Young Choi visited the funeral hall at Seoul St. Mary's Hospital at around 6:50 p.m. that day and presented the medal to the bereaved family. Minister Choi expressed condolences, saying, "The late actor was the most beautiful actor in Korean cinema and someone who always cared for those in humble places. I cannot contain my deep sorrow."

He continued, "Masterpieces such as 'Chilsu and Mansu' by the late actor flash through my mind," and added, "It would have been wonderful if he could have witnessed Korea's continued development as a cultural powerhouse."

The Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism explained the reason for the posthumous award, stating, "The late actor was a 'national actor' who spent his life with Korean cinema, transcending generations through his performances." In particular, his contributions to the industrial growth and cultural expansion of Korean cinema during the 1990s and 2000s were highly regarded. Previously, he received the Eungwan Order of Cultural Merit in 2013.

Minister of Culture, Sports and Tourism Hwee-Young Choi is paying respects at the funeral hall of actor Sung-Ki Ahn, who passed away on the 5th, at Seoul St. Mary's Hospital. Photo by Joint Press Corps

The government also posthumously awarded the Geumgwan Order of Cultural Merit to actors Lee Sunjae and Kim Jimi, who passed away at the end of last year. In addition, Youn Yuhjung received the same honor in 2021, and Lee Jungjae was awarded in 2022.

A wave of mourners continued to visit the funeral hall that day. President Lee Jaemyung sent a floral tribute, and political figures such as Cho Kuk, leader of the Cho Kuk Innovation Party, paid their respects in person. Actor Park Sangwon, with tears in his eyes, said, "He must be acting in heaven as well." Fellow actors including Park Joonghoon, Shin Hyunjoon, Lee Deokhwa, Lee Jungjae, and Jung Woosung also came to bid their final farewell to the late actor.

The late actor made his debut in 1957 with the film "Twilight Train" and appeared in over 170 films over 69 years. He was declared cured of blood cancer in 2019, but the illness recently recurred and he had been undergoing treatment. He passed away peacefully at the age of 74 at around 9 a.m. on this day, after collapsing at home on December 30th.