"national actor" Ahn Sung-ki, who had been battling a relapse of blood cancer, was transported to a hospital in cardiac arrest and is in critical condition.
This morning (31st), a representative of his agency, Artist Company, told OSEN, "Senior Ahn Sung-ki was transported to the hospital after a sudden deterioration in his health and is currently being treated under the care of medical staff," the agency said in an official statement.
Ahn Sung-ki's trip to the hospital was first reported earlier that morning by Yonhap News. According to the report, on the previous day, on the 30th at around 4 p.m., he choked on food and collapsed while eating at home.
He was then transported to the emergency room of a hospital near his home while receiving cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) in a state of cardiac arrest. Currently hospitalized in the intensive care unit, he is said to be in critical condition.
Regarding Ahn Sung-ki's current condition, Artist Company told OSEN, "We are carefully refraining from further comment as we are confirming the exact condition and future progress based on the medical staff's judgment."
They added, "We ask that you prioritize the stability of the actor and his family, and if any additional information is confirmed, we will inform you through official channels."
Ahn Sung-ki is an actor who debuted in 1957 in Kim Ki-young's "Twilight Train." Over the past 60 years he appeared in about 200 films and was loved as a "national actor."
He was first diagnosed with blood cancer in 2019, which drew sympathy. The following year he was declared "cured" and seemed to have recovered his health, but during recent follow-up observations the blood cancer relapsed and he has continued to battle the disease, it was reported.
Even while battling illness, Ahn Sung-ki continued working and received respect from the film industry and the public. In 2019, when he first received the cancer diagnosis, he appeared in the films "The Divine Fury" and "Gwanghwamun". He later appeared in "Paper Flower", "In the Name of My Son", "Cassiopeia", "Hansan: Rise of the Dragon", "Birth" and "Noryang: Deadly Sea", among others.
The following is the full official statement from Artist Company.
Senior Ahn Sung-ki was transported to the hospital after a sudden deterioration in his health and is currently being treated under the care of medical staff.
We are confirming the exact condition and future progress based on the medical staff's judgment.
We ask that you prioritize the stability of the actor and his family, and if any additional information is confirmed, we will inform you through official channels.<
[Photo] OSEN DB.
[OSEN]