Lee Soon-jae followed by Ahn Sung-ki… public saddened by news of health decline of two pillars of the film industry"
News of the declining health of two masters of Korean cinema, Lee Soon-jae and Ahn Sung-ki, has been reported in succession, drawing sorrow from fans and colleagues.
First, at the '2025 Korea Popular Culture and Arts Awards' ceremony held on Oct. 23, recent news about actor Lee Soon-jae was shared.
At the time actor Jung Dong-hwan received the Bogwan Cultural Medal and said, "Whenever I performed a seven-and-a-half-hour play, there was someone who unfailingly encouraged me, but today he could not come because he is not in good health. It is teacher Lee Soon-jae," directly mentioning his name. After Jung Dong-hwan's remarks, the audience fell silent, and voices expressing concern about Lee Soon-jae's health continued.
Lee Soon-jae, who is approaching 90 this year, drew attention last year as the oldest-ever grand prize winner at the KBS Drama Awards, but is known to have since stopped activities in both drama and theater and is experiencing difficulty moving and undergoing rehabilitation treatment. An aide said, "His leg strength has weakened, so he is refraining from going out," but recently concerns have grown again that "his condition may have worsened."
Meanwhile, the recent condition of another veteran actor, Ahn Sung-ki, was revealed about a week later. On the episode of Channel A 'Close Friend Tokumentary – Table for Four' broadcast on the 3rd, actor Park Joong-hoon, choking up, said, "My life was truly better because senior Ahn Sung-ki was there." He added, "Lately his health has been very poor, but he said 'thank you' and smiled weakly. That smile is unforgettable," moving viewers' hearts.
Ahn Sung-ki was diagnosed with blood cancer in 2019 and was declared cured in 2020, but the cancer later recurred and he endured a long battle. After finishing chemotherapy he attended events and said, "My health has improved a lot," but recently his condition is reported to have worsened again.
He appeared last year at the Daejong Film Awards, the Wildflower Film Awards, and the April 19 Democracy Peace Award ceremony, vowing, "I will return with a new work," but he is currently concentrating on treatment.
Lee Soon-jae and Ahn Sung-ki. Both are living monuments of Korean film and theater, revered across generations as great actors. Netizens have expressed warm support and encouragement, saying, "Both are living history of the film industry," "I hope they recover and we can see them again on stage and screen," and "They are pillars of Korean art; please regain your health."<
[Photo] 'OSEN DB'
[OSEN]