Ahn Sung-ki, the beloved pillar of Korean cinema, has died at 74. His funeral will be organized by the film community.
On Jan. 5, his agency Artist Company announced, “Ahn Sung-ki passed away at 9 a.m. on January 5, 2026, at the age of 74.”
A viewing will be held at Room 31 of the funeral hall at Seoul St. Mary’s Hospital. The procession is scheduled for 6 a.m. on Jan. 9, with interment at Byeolgeurida in Yangpyeong.
The funeral will be overseen as a film community service by the Shin Young-kyun Arts & Culture Foundation and the Korea Film Actors Association. Honorary funeral chair Shin Young-kyun, director Bae Chang-ho, Korea Film Actors Association chair Lee Gap-seong, acting head Shin Eon-sik of the Shin Young-kyun Arts & Culture Foundation, and Korea Film Artists Association chair Yang Yoon-ho will serve as co-chairs.
Fellow Artist Company stars and junior colleagues Lee Jung-jae and Jung Woo-sung will serve as pallbearers.
“Ahn approached acting with a profound sense of duty and unwavering integrity, moving in step with the history of Korean popular culture,” Artist Company said in a statement. “His work always centered on people and life. Across decades and generations, his performances offered resonance and comfort.”
The agency added, “Beyond being an actor, he embodied dignity and responsibility, treating colleagues and sets with deep respect―the very definition of a ‘national actor.’ We are heartbroken by this sudden loss and extend our sincere condolences to his family. The body of work and spirit Ahn Sung-ki leaves behind will live on and be remembered by many.”
They also requested privacy: “In keeping with the wishes of the deceased and his family, we ask that media refrain from excessive coverage or unverified speculation.”
Ahn was diagnosed with blood cancer in 2019 and declared in remission the following year, but later suffered a relapse. On Dec. 30, he was rushed to the emergency room at Soonchunhyang University Hospital in Seoul in cardiac arrest and treated in the ICU. He died six days later, at 9 a.m. on Jan. 5, with his family by his side.
(SBS Entertainment News | Kim Ji-hye)
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