'National actor' Ahn Seong-gi has passed away, and his decades-long connection with 'king of singers' Cho Yong-pil, who shared more than 60 years with him, is being spotlighted again.
Cho Yong-pil personally visited the funeral hall at Seoul St. Mary's Hospital, where the wake for the deceased was set up today (the 5th), to see off his longtime friend on his final journey. Having maintained a friendship of more than 60 years since their days at Seoul Gyeongdong Middle School, he is reported to have offered a heartfelt farewell at the condolence gathering, saying, "Seong-gi, go well. Rest peacefully."
The two men's relationship dates back to their school days. Ahn Seong-gi and Cho Yong-pil were classmates at Seoul Gyeongdong Middle School, and in their third year they were seatmates. At the time Cho Yong-pil was number 29 and Ahn Seong-gi sat right beside him as number 30. The two, who were close enough to visit each other's homes, later became names that represent Korean popular culture in their respective fields.
In 2018 Ahn Seong-gi appeared as the first participant in a relay interview commemorating Cho Yong-pil's 50th anniversary since his debut, openly recalling their long friendship. He remembered, "(Cho Yong-pil was) a very close friend who used to come over to my house to hang out," adding, "If you look at old photos, he had the appearance of a model student." He added, "He was a quiet model student, so I never dreamed he would become a singer. Perhaps only God knew such a thing."
Ahn Seong-gi did not hide his affection, calling his friend "Yong-pil-ah." He said, "As a private person, Cho Yong-pil is an ordinary man, but as a singer Cho Yong-pil is tremendous, a real giant," and added, "Not only his vocal ability but his creative will to produce something new is truly exemplary." He also offered the well wish, "I always hope he continues to share joy and happiness by our side."
Their friendship was also revealed on broadcast. In 1997 Ahn Seong-gi made a surprise guest appearance on KBS music program Big Show, on which Cho Yong-pil appeared. At the time Cho Yong-pil recalled, "At Christmas they kept me from going outside the house, but Seong-gi sang outside for me," and related a childhood anecdote, saying, "My father said, 'You can play with Ahn Seong-gi as much as you like.'"
On that stage Ahn Seong-gi sang Peggy Lee's 'Johnny Guitar' along with Cho Yong-pil's guitar accompaniment. Standing beside Cho Yong-pil with a faint smile throughout, continuing the song and conversation, their interaction vividly showed the nature of their relationship. At the time Ahn Seong-gi said, "We're close, but singing next to Cho Yong-pil made me nervous and honored."
Even after reaching the top in their respective fields, the two maintained their bond. Ahn Seong-gi appeared in Korea's first 10-million-ticket film Silmido in 2003, and Cho Yong-pil used scenes from that film to produce the music video for the title track "Eyes of the sun" from his 18th studio album. In 2013 they were both awarded the silver crown cultural medal, the highest honor of the Korea Popular Culture and Arts Awards, and a photo of them walking arm in arm and talking drew public attention.
Cho Yong-pil released his 20th album in 2024, but because Ahn Seong-gi had been battling blood cancer since 2019, a public reunion between the two never came to pass.
Two names who lived in the same era while taking different paths. The more than 60-year friendship between national actor Ahn Seong-gi and king of singers Cho Yong-pil thus remained as a scene in Korea's popular culture.
[photo] OSEN DB
[OSEN]