Actor the late Ahn Sung-ki has passed away.
On the 9th at 8 a.m., a funeral mass will be held at Myeongdong Cathedral in Jung-gu, Seoul, in honor of Ahn Sung-ki, who was a devout Catholic. A memorial service for people in the film industry will follow at the same location, where co-funeral committee members director Bae Chang-ho and actor Jung Woosung will deliver eulogies.
Ahn Sung-ki died at the age of 74 on the morning of the 5th at 9 a.m. while receiving treatment in the intensive care unit at Soonchunhyang University Hospital in Yongsan-gu, Seoul, with his family watching. It came six days after he was taken to the hospital on the 30th of last month after collapsing at home with food stuck in his throat and had been treated in an unconscious state.
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, director Bae Chang-ho, Lee Gap-seong, chairman of The Korea Film Actors Association, Shin Eon-sik, acting head of the Shin Young-kyun Arts and Culture Foundation, and Yang Yun-ho, chairman of the Korean Film Association, served as four co-funeral committee chairmen.
Listed as chief mourners were his wife, Oh So-young, and two sons, while Jung Woosung and Lee Jung-jae, as heads of the actor's last agency, Artist Company, joined in receiving visitors.
After Ahn Sung-ki's death, memorial moments continued at film-related events. Attendees observed moments of mourning at the press screening and press conference for the film "Boy" and at the press screening and press conference for "Project Y," and at the production presentation for KBS1's new variety show "Let's live together with Hwang Shin-hye," Hwang Shin-hye became tearful remembering the late actor.
Younger actors and colleagues from the same agency, Lee Jung-jae and Jung Woosung, stood vigil at the funeral hall and expressed deep condolences, while Yoon Jongshin, Bae Chul-soo, Lee Si-eon, Hwang Shin-hye, Heo Ji-woong, Jang Seongkyu, Jung Bo-seog, Jung Eun-pyo, Ko Hyun-jung, Kim Seon-a, Ko Kyung-pyo, Lee Dong-hwi, Uhm Ji-won, Lee Ki-yong, Cha In-pyo, and Chae Sira recalled memories with the deceased and conveyed their sympathies.
President Lee Jae-myung also expressed his condolences, saying, "I offer deep condolences on the passing of a teacher who left a great mark on Korea's film history and the broader cultural arts. He will be remembered forever as an actor who sincerely portrayed the joys and sorrows of humanity that span eras," and added, "I will long remember the passionate dedication that led to more than 170 works over a 69-year acting career. I pay deep respect to a life that showed humility over glamour and dignity over competition."
At Ahn Sung-ki's memorial service, Jung Woosung and Lee Jung-jae, heads of Artist Company, held the portrait and the medal respectively, and the funeral procession will be carried by Sul Kyung-gu, Park Chul-min, Yoo Ji-tae, Park Hae-il, Jo Woo-jin, and Ju Jihoon, rather than actor Lee Byung-hun, who was originally reported to participate.
Leaving behind a benevolent smile, Ahn Sung-ki has passed into eternal rest. His resting place is Yangpyeong Byeolgeurida.
[OSEN]