Actor Ahn Sung-ki has died. It was six days after he was rushed to the hospital following a sudden cardiac arrest. He left behind the record of being the first actor whose film reached 10 million admissions.
Ahn Sung-ki collapsed last month on the 30th while eating at his home after food went down the wrong way and entered his airway; he was found in cardiac arrest, immediately received cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) and was taken to a nearby hospital emergency room. He was then treated unconscious in the intensive care unit, but on the morning of the 5th at 9 a.m., while his family watched, he died at the age of 74.
Artist Company had maintained a cautious stance, saying, "He was rushed to the hospital after a sudden deterioration in his health and is receiving treatment under medical supervision." Although reports emerged that he had overcome the crisis, the agency said it was too early to mention improvement and remained tight-lipped.
Only some immediate family members kept vigil at his bedside, and his eldest son, who had been staying in the United States, was reported to be urgently arranging to return home, adding to the sorrow. Despite the entertainment industry and fans earnestly praying for his recovery, the bad news was ultimately delivered.
Ahn Sung-ki was diagnosed with blood cancer in 2019 and had been battling the disease. Although he received a remission diagnosis once, the illness recurred; nonetheless, he did not give up his commitment to acting, appearing in films such as "The Divine Fury", "In the Name of the Son", "Cassiopeia", "Hansan: Rising Dragon" and "Noryang: Deadly Sea." On his birthday, the 1st, supporters offered wishes for his recovery instead of celebrations, but he ultimately concluded his long journey.
The wake was set up in room 31 of the Seoul St. Mary's Hospital funeral hall. To honor his achievements as a "national actor" during his lifetime, the funeral was held as a film industry funeral organized by the Shin Young-kyun Arts and Culture Foundation and The Korea Film Actors Association. Honorary chairman Shin Young-kyun and film figures including director Bae Chang-ho served as co-funeral committee chairs.
At 8 a.m. on the 9th, a funeral mass was held at Myeongdong Cathedral in Jung-gu, Seoul, in accordance with the wishes of the deceased, who was a devout Catholic, and a film industry farewell ceremony was then held. Eulogies were delivered by director Bae Chang-ho and actor Jung Woosung. At the farewell ceremony, Lee Jung-jae and Jung Woosung carried the portrait and the medal respectively, and the pallbearers included Sul Kyung-gu, Park Chul-min, Yoo Ji-tae, Park Hae-il, Jo Woo-jin and Ju Jihoon. The burial site is Byeolgeurida in Yangpyeong, Gyeonggi.
Ahn Sung-ki, who began acting at the age of five in 1957, starred in major works in Korean film history such as "A Windy Day", "The Hunting of Whales", "The South Korean People's Army", "White War", "Two Cops", "Silmido", "Broken Arrow" and "Hansan: Rising Dragon." In particular, with "Silmido" he left the record of being the lead actor of Korea's first film to reach 10 million admissions, and over more than 60 years he appeared in more than 150 works, establishing himself as an actor who represented an era.<
[Photo] 'SBS'
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