Actor Hwang Shin-hye cried after a string of sad news at the start of the new year. In particular, she expressed her condolences over the death of the late Ahn Sung-ki and rose to see him off on his final journey.
Ahn Sung-ki died at 9 a.m. on Jan. 5, 2026, at the age of 74. He had recently been moved to the intensive care unit in a state of cardiac arrest and received intensive treatment, but he ultimately did not recover and passed away while his family watched.
As a "national actor" and a leading figure in the Korean film industry, Ahn Sung-ki prompted a wave of grief from devastated juniors. Actors Jung Bo-seog, Jung Eun-pyo, Ko Hyun-jung, Kim Seon-a, Ko Kyung-pyo, Lee Dong-hwi, Uhm Ji-won, Jang Hyuk, Han Ye-ri, Lee Young-ae, Song Sun-mi, Cho Seong Ha, Kim Gyuri, Lee Sang-min, Lee Bon, Kim Seung-hyun, Yoon Hyun-suk, Lee Gi-yong, Harisu, Moon Hee-kyung, Ha Joon and Yoo Ji-tae remembered Ahn Sung-ki and paid tribute.
Hwang Shin-hye was also shocked by the news of Ahn Sung-ki's death. Hwang Shin-hye had worked with Ahn Sung-ki in the 1987 film "Gippeun Uri Jeolm-eunnal" (Happy Our Young Days). The film was significant as Hwang Shin-hye's first film appearance, coming after her debut as an MBC 16th class open recruitment talent in 1983, and working on this project with Ahn Sung-ki made it even more meaningful.
Hwang Shin-hye posted I hope you rest in peace. The time I was able to make a film with you on the same set and in front of the same camera was a great honor in my life. Thank you for being a pillar of Korean cinema for such a long time. I will not forget the moments we shared. I hope you find peace there. I truly respected you. I offer my deepest condolences along with stills and posters from "Gippeun Uri Jeolm-eunnal."
The start of 2026 has been brutal for Hwang Shin-hye. On the 2nd, a dog she had raised for 18 years crossed the rainbow bridge, and on the 5th, Ahn Sung-ki passed away. She has also experienced successive farewells as her younger brother's wife and her sister-in-law's father died.
On the 6th, Hwang Shin-hye shed tears at a press conference for KBS1's Hwang Shin-hye's Let's Live Together held at the KBS Art Hall on Yeongdeungpo-gu Yeongdo, Seoul. She said, The new year began and in six days I experienced many farewells. It was hard to pull myself together. I am grateful for the time allowed.
Especially, Hwang Shin-hye cried as she mourned Ahn Sung-ki and said, He was with me for my first film debut, and he remained a pillar of the film industry for a long time. It is regrettable that he left early, and I plan to pay my respects after this event ends. I hope he goes to a good place and rests.
Although Hwang Shin-hye has lost many people at the start of the new year, new connections have come to her side. They are Miss Korea alum Jang Yoon Jeong and broadcaster Jung Ga-eun, who will join her on Let's Live Together. Hwang Shin-hye said, Before the first shoot I felt complicated and delicate, but within minutes of meeting we blended into each other like people who had known each other a long time. I think we are similar in temperament. Because we are all honest and have clumsy sides, we came to understand each other more. Jung Ga-eun is very delicate, so I try to be strong with her. Men talk about the military and spend nights on that topic, but as single moms we kept talking and even staying up all night didn't finish the conversation. I'm happy because there are so many stories to tell moving forward.
KBS1's new variety program Hwang Shin-hye's Let's Live Together will premiere at 7:40 p.m. on the 7th.
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