'Veteran actors and 'national actors' Lee Soon-jae and Ahn Sung-ki passed away one after another, and the departures of these two pillars representing an era leave a deep resonance. The government posthumously awarded both actors the Order of Cultural Merit, Gold Crown (first class), and with the president's direct mourning following, it is being described as 'national honor.'
The president's immediate condolence… "He was an actor for the whole country"
Right after the news of Lee Soon-jae's death was reported, a wreath in the name of the 'president' arrived first at the funeral hall. While on an overseas trip, President Lee Jae-myung expressed deep condolences on social media, saying, "He devoted his life to acting and elevated the dignity of Korea's culture and arts." It is considered exceptional that the president left such a swift and direct message of mourning for the death of a cultural artist.
It also drew attention that the president sent the largest wreath upon hearing of Ahn Sung-ki's death. The president said, "I express my deep condolences on the passing of a master who left a great mark on Korean film history and culture and the arts as a whole," and added, "He will be remembered forever as an actor who sincerely portrayed the joys and sorrows of humanity across eras." He went on to say, "I pay deep respect to a life that showed humility over glamour and dignity over competition."
Government awards Order of Cultural Merit, Gold Crown at an unprecedented pace
As with the late Lee Soon-jae, upon news of Ahn Sung-ki's death the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism urgently posthumously awarded the Order of Cultural Merit, Gold Crown on the day of his death. The Order of Cultural Merit, Gold Crown is the highest grade among cultural orders and is awarded only to individuals who have made outstanding contributions to the development of culture and the arts. The ministry said the reason for the award was, "He worked actively for more than half a century across theater, drama, film and variety, and was respected across generations."
"Acting is something you see through to the end"… Ahn Sung-ki's final set
Ahn Sung-ki, who died at 74 after battling leukemia, did not leave the camera until his final moments. The SBS documentary The person who was always there, actor Ahn Sung-ki captured his last set, where he continued filming even during chemotherapy. Director Park Heung-sik recalled, "Had he said it was too hard, we would have stopped filming, but the master said, 'I'll do it.'"
Ahn Sung-ki debuted as a child actor at age five and appeared in more than 170 works over 69 years. In life he had said, "I want to be with the audience as long as my strength allows." His death was covered abroad as well, and The New York Times introduced him as "a great figure of Korean cinema."
Even on his sickbed he said, "There's nothing I want but work"… Lee Soon-jae's final answer
In MBC's memorial documentary Actor Lee Soon-jae, I owe you much, a bedridden Lee Soon-jae is shown answering, "There's nothing I want but work." Even after losing his sight and with weakened hearing, he spoke of his responsibility as an actor to the end, saying, "I cannot cause trouble for colleagues and staff."
Lee Soon-jae, who debuted in theater in 1956, set the standards of Korean acting history over nearly 70 years across theater, drama and film. The dedication he showed in works such as 'High Kick Without Hesitation' and 'Yi San' remained a textbook for younger actors.
An era has ended, but the late Lee Soon-jae and the late Ahn Sung-ki share clear commonalities. They chose diligence over glamour and responsibility over fame. The government's posthumous award of the Order of Cultural Merit, Gold Crown and the president's direct mourning were the nation's final salute to actors who represented an era beyond the individual. The works and attitudes they left behind will be remembered for a long time as standards in Korea's cultural history.
[Photos] OSEN DB, SNS
[OSEN]