"A Great Actor Who Offered Companionship Instead of Authority"... Ahn Sung-ki, the 'True Adult' Remembered by Juniors

Hwang Shin-hye and Song Sun-mi Remember Him as an "Eternal Pillar"
Film Family Members Jung Woo-sung and Lee Jung-jae Volunteer as Chief Mourners

Yonhap News Agency

The procession mourning Ahn Sung-ki, who passed away on January 5, reflects not only the loss of a star but also the sorrow of losing a true elder of our time.

To his colleagues who shared the renaissance of Chungmuro, he was a pillar of support. On January 6, Hwang Shin-hye, who worked with him in the 1987 film "Our Joyful Young Days," wrote on social media, "It was an honor just to stand in front of the camera with you," and bowed her head in gratitude, saying, "Thank you for being a pillar of Korean cinema for such a long time." Song Sun-mi, who appeared with him in "Art Museum by the Zoo" (1998), also looked back at a photo from the set 28 years ago and recalled, "Every moment was pure respect itself."

To much younger juniors, he was a senior who offered companionship instead of authority. Ok Taec-yeon, remembering the script reading for the film "Hansan" (2022), wrote, "I will never forget how you kindly smiled and took a photo with a nervous newcomer." Singer Bada also mourned, saying, "When I met you at church and at the fishing spot, you were always the first to offer words of encouragement. I felt your deep warmth."

The grief that transcends generations has spread throughout all walks of life. Singer Lee Sang-min reminisced, "You made me laugh and cry from my childhood to my middle age." Many juniors, including Lee Young-ae, Ko Hyun-jung, and Jang Hyuk, expressed their unspeakable sorrow by sharing photos of chrysanthemums.

Yonhap News Agency

The final farewell, attended by both his family and his 'film family,' adds to the solemnity. His eldest son, Ahn Da-bin, posted the cover of the photobook from the film "To the Starry Island" (1993), in which he appeared as a child actor alongside his father, and left a message of gratitude: "Thank you for your warm condolences."

At Seoul St. Mary's Hospital, where the memorial altar has been set up, close juniors Jung Woo-sung and Lee Jung-jae are standing by the family's side as chief mourners. The great star who illuminated Korean cinema for over 60 years will be laid to eternal rest at 6 a.m. on January 9, accompanied by his juniors' final farewell.