National actor Ahn Sung-ki is battling a recurrence of blood cancer, and his 40-year close friend Park Joong-hoon expressed deep sorrow.
Earlier, Ahn was diagnosed with blood cancer in 2019 and began treatment, and the fact came to light late, shocking fans and the public. Fortunately, he was declared cured the following year, but the disease recurred during follow-up, and he resumed treatment.
In response, his agency Artist Company said in an official statement, "He is improving as his care is thorough," and "He will focus on recovery and treatment so he can greet everyone in good health." Even while battling the illness, Ahn showed exceptional enthusiasm for returning by attending film events, and at the 58th Daejong Film Awards he said, "You worry too much about my health, but I am getting much better. I will meet you with a new film," expressing his intent to return. Afterwards, Ahn appeared at the 27th Bucheon International Fantastic Film Festival in 2023 and at the 43rd Golden Camera Awards ceremony, showing a noticeably healthier face.
However, sad news emerged at a press conference on the afternoon of the 4th for Park Joong-hoon's essay 'Don't Regret' held at Jeongdong 1928 Art Center on Deoksugung-gil in Jung-gu, Seoul.
Park Joong-hoon, who has a special bond with Ahn Sung-ki, said when asked about the matter, "If I speak first on Senior Ahn Sung-ki, hiding it doesn't make it hidden. His health is quite poor. That's how I would put it," opening up.
He continued, "It has been over a year since I last saw his face. Personally, he has not been in a position to talk on the phone or exchange messages, so I have been asking his family about his condition. He speaks calmly, but it is very sad," and added, "To me he is a respected mentor, a film person, a senior, a teacher-like figure with whom I made four films over 40 years. I respect him as an actor and as a person, and it saddens me a lot that he doesn't seem to be in a position to fully appreciate that I published a book."
On the previous day, the 3rd, Park Joong-hoon also mentioned Ahn Sung-ki on Channel A's Closest Documentary - Table for Four, calling him "an indispensable person in my film life." The two worked together on four films, including Two Cops, No Mercy for the Rude, and Radio Star.
He said, "He is truly an irreplaceable person to me. He is a companion and means many things to me. He is like a father. If I were a balloon, Senior Ahn Sung-ki tied a stone to the string of the balloon. If that stone hadn't been there, it would have burst while flying," expressing deep gratitude.
Ahn is battling a recurrence of blood cancer, and Park Joong-hoon recalled, "As you know, his health is quite poor now. I told him not long ago, 'Because you were in my life, my life was really good,' and he weakly smiled because he had no strength, but it just made me feel very emotional. I almost cried but held it in and was scolded," recalling the moment.
He added that Ahn Sung-ki also had a deep connection with Park Joong-hoon's father. "One day Senior Ahn told me, no matter how close we are, I might have made mistakes over the long years. But he said, 'I feel closer to you because of your father.' He said that my father would secretly visit Senior Ahn at movie events or post-screening gatherings and bow and say, 'Please take good care of Joong-hoon,' and that happened a lot. Senior Ahn said, 'The reason I'm forgiving when you make mistakes is because of your late father,'" he said, his eyes welling up.
[Photo] OSEN DB, screen capture of Table for Four
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