Actor Ahn Sung-gi, who is battling a relapse of blood cancer and is in critical condition after experiencing cardiac arrest, has seen renewed attention on the voices of his junior colleagues in the entertainment industry who cheered him on.
On the 31st, a representative of his agency, Artist Company, told OSEN, "Senior Ahn Sung-gi was transported to the hospital due to a sudden deterioration in his health and is currently receiving treatment under the care of medical staff," the agency said in an official statement.
On the afternoon of the 30th at around 4 p.m., Ahn Sung-gi collapsed at his home while eating after food became lodged in his throat. He was later taken to the emergency room of a nearby hospital while receiving cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) in a state of cardiac arrest and is currently hospitalized in the intensive care unit.
Regarding his current health, Artist Company told OSEN, "We are confirming the exact condition and future course based on the judgment of medical staff," and asked that the actor and his family's need for stability be given top priority, adding, "If there are additional matters to confirm, we will provide guidance through official channels." The agency also declined to comment on a report by a media outlet that he had passed a critical stage, saying, "It is not a stage or situation where we can officially comment on improvement," and remained tight-lipped.
Ahn Sung-gi was first diagnosed with blood cancer in 2019, prompting sorrow. The following year he was declared "cured" and seemed to recover his health, but during recent follow-up examinations the blood cancer relapsed and he had been continuing to battle the disease. Even while ill, Ahn Sung-gi consistently continued his work; even in 2019, when he received his first cancer diagnosis, he appeared in the films Saja and Gwanghwamun. After that he appeared in Paper Flower, In the Name of the Son, Cassiopeia, Hansan: The Appearance of the Dragon, Birth, and Noryang: Deadly Sea, among others, drawing support from people in the film industry and the entertainment industry.
Heo Ji-woong, who had been declared cured after a diagnosis of malignant lymphoma, wrote on his personal social media in 2022, "I saw the news that Senior Ahn Sung-gi is battling blood cancer. I believe he will come back smiling as if he were never sick. Even if it's unpleasant and difficult, I hope he eats a lot during chemotherapy," offering his support.
Actress Hwang Shin-hye also said after director Park Chang-ho's 40th anniversary special screening, "Hearing the saddening news about Senior Ahn Sung-gi made a corner of my heart ache. I pray that he overcomes this," she said.
Actor Park Joong-hoon, who worked as a duo with Ahn Sung-gi in numerous works, mentioned Ahn Sung-gi at a public event to offer his support. At a press event for his essay After don't regret, he said, "Senior Ahn Sung-gi is not in a condition to make personal calls or send messages. So I am asking his family about his recent condition. He speaks calmly, but I am sad," expressing his sorrow.
Previously, Park Joong-hoon had posted recent photos on his personal social media showing him meeting and dining with Ahn Sung-gi, and at the time actress Kim Hye-soo commented on the post, "Senior Ahn Sung-gi and Joong-hoon oppa, both are such special people," showing her affection.
There were also juniors who expressed respect for the senior Ahn Sung-gi with heartwarming anecdotes. In 2023, actress Lee Joo-young posted a photo on her personal social media of her linking arms with Ahn Sung-gi and said, "When you were the executive chair of the Asiana International Short Film Festival, you encouraged a rookie actor no one knew by saying you enjoyed the short film and called my name, and you took care of me like a father when I felt awkward," she said.
Earlier, in 2022, actor Yoon Kyung-ho appeared as a guest on the radio and said, "I was proud to be able to appear in a work with Senior Ahn Sung-gi. If it seemed like the staff were having a hard time on set, he would personally offer them a seat or call them near the fireplace to take care of them," he said. In addition, actor Kim Sang-kyung said, "When everyone ignored me as a rookie, only Senior Ahn Sung-gi greeted me," he had said.
Ahn Sung-gi debuted in 1957 in director Kim Ki-young's Twilight Train. Over the roughly 60 years since, he has appeared in about 200 films and has been loved as a "national actor." <
[Photo] OSEN DB, SNS source.
[OSEN]