South Korean Cinema Icon Ahn Sung-ki Dies at 74

South Korea’s beloved actor Ahn Sung-ki has passed away at the age of 74.

According to officials, Ahn collapsed on December 30 after food obstructed his airway during a meal, leading to cardiac arrest. He was rushed to Soonchunhyang University Hospital, where he received intensive care in the ICU. Despite medical efforts, he died peacefully six days later on the morning of his passing, surrounded by family.

Ahn had been battling blood cancer since being diagnosed in 2019. Even amid his prolonged illness, he remained committed to acting, continuing to appear in films through 2023 and demonstrating unwavering dedication to his craft until the very end.

Born on January 1, 1952, in Seoul, Ahn made his screen debut as a child actor in Kim Ki-young’s 1957 film ‘Hwanghon Yeolcha.’ After remaining active through his middle school years, he stepped away from acting before returning to the film industry following his university graduation. He went on to collaborate extensively with some of the most influential filmmakers of the 1980s and 1990s, including Lee Jang-ho, Im Kwon-taek, Bae Chang-ho, and Jung Ji-young, cementing his status as both the face of Korean cinema and a performer who defined an era.

One of the most significant milestones of his career came with the 2003 film ‘Silmido,’ in which he portrayed a military commander with commanding gravitas. The film became South Korea’s first movie to surpass 10 million admissions, marking a historic turning point for the local box office. The success of ‘Silmido’ further solidified Ahn’s reputation as a rare actor capable of bridging both critical acclaim and mass appeal.

Ahn’s funeral will be held over five days in the form of a ‘Film Artists’ Funeral,’ jointly organized by the Shin Young-kyun Arts and Culture Foundation and the Korea Film Actors Association.

A public memorial space for mourners will also be set up at the Chungmuro Film Center, open from January 6 through January 8 between 10 a.m. and 6 p.m.