With Ahn Sung-ki, a major pillar of the Korean film industry, laid to rest, his life left a poignant resonance.
The MBC memorial special documentary that aired on the 11th, "national actor, Ahn Sung-ki," portrayed the life of Ahn Sung-ki, who lived as "the history of Korean cinema" and "the face of an era," and the final traces he left behind. The narration was by actor Byun Yo-Han, who is connected to Ahn Sung-ki through films such as "Hansan: Rising of the Dragon," among others.
Photographer Koo Bon-chang looked at the photo taken for the poster of the film "Our Happy Young Days," which was used as the memorial portrait, and said, "That photo is my favorite; the fresh look from his youth, to her it was Ahn Sung-ki's image. That wistful yet smiling look stayed in my heart, and it seems his wife also liked that photo."
Film was life, and life was film for Ahn Sung-ki. In 1957, when he was 5, Ahn Sung-ki stood in front of a camera for the first time, led by his father's hand. Debuting in director Kim Ki-young's "Twilight Train," Ahn Sung-ki appeared in films such as "Mother and Daughter," "The Housemaid," "The Sisters' Garden," and "Pig's Dream" without even having learned Hangul. Ahn Sung-ki recalled, "At that time there weren't many child actors, so they picked me because I stood out, and I did what I was told quite well, so word spread and I ended up doing acting without anyone's deliberate intention." In that way, Ahn Sung-ki became the first Korean actor to win prizes at overseas film festivals.
But Ahn Sung-ki stopped acting after "Young Zelkova" to focus on his studies. Ten years later, he majored in Vietnamese at university, but as Vietnam became communist and jobs grew scarce, he returned to the film industry. Returning with director Lee Jang-ho's film "A Windy, Good Day," Ahn Sung-ki won the new actor award at the 19th Daejong Film Awards and established himself as an adult actor. Director Lee Jang-ho recalled, "Director Bae Chang-ho was practicing acting and said it would be a big problem and wouldn't work, but someone in the editing room suggested what about Ahn Sung-ki, who had been a child actor. Looking quietly, I found an unexpected discovery," reminiscing about the time.
In that way, Ahn Sung-ki broke the Chungmuro conventional wisdom that child actors rarely succeed as adult actors and was recognized as a film actor. Director Bae Chang-ho evaluated, "In the early '80s there weren't many actors who specialized only in film. They also worked in TV or theater, but Ahn Sung-ki grew up as a film specialist from a young age, and he had an aura that could convey an ordinary yet everyman and intellectual presence rather than a sculpted handsome look."
Having opened his heyday, Ahn Sung-ki received love calls from master directors and appeared in films such as "Deep Blue Night," "Chilsu and Mansu," "Comedian," "Whale Hunting," "The Southern Army," "Two Cops," and "Silmido," portraying a different face and a new life each time. Repeatedly transforming yet continuing his success, Ahn Sung-ki swept the best actor awards at the Baeksang Arts Awards, Daejong Film Awards, and Blue Dragon Film Awards, and the record for most awards he set still stands unbroken. Myung Films CEO Shim Jae-myung said, "The reason Ahn Sung-ki appeared in so many films, he said, was that there were few actors and he had to do roles that actors like Sul Kyung-gu, Choi Min-sik, and Han Suk-kyu would otherwise have to do alone. So conversely he was able to meet great directors and works." Actors who worked with him on "Whale Hunting," such as Kim Soo-chul and Lee Mi-Sook, recalled feeling honored to have worked with Ahn Sung-ki. Lee Mi-Sook said, "Despite the difficult set, what remained as a good memory was the atmosphere on set and Ahn Sung-ki's role. I don't think such times will come again."
Ahn Sung-ki's appearance covered in the documentary "The Age of Man" attracted attention. Despite being a top star with no scandals, he put family first and film first. Hoping acting would become a more respected profession, he was choosier about projects and did not make films with explicit bed scenes. Despite many offers to be an advertising model, aside from a coffee commercial he agreed to after much deliberation, Ahn Sung-ki rarely appeared in ads. A bond once made lasted for 38 years.
Calling Ahn Sung-ki a "national actor" after a 68-year acting career was not only because of the passage of time. Park Chul-min said, "During the 'Park Bong-gon runaway incident' Ahn Sung-ki sunbaenim was the lead and I had a bit part, and the environment wasn't good. The room with air conditioning had the leads and it was a cramped space, and when I happened to be there the crew got mad. At that time Ahn Sung-ki sunbaenim told me we should practice lines together. He showed his characteristic generous and warm smile, and I was so grateful," he said.
Kim Sang-kyung said, "I did drama for three years and 'The Discovery of Life' was my first film. I first met him at the Blue Dragon Film Awards attendance. As I was about to leave he turned back, reached out his hand and smiled, saying 'congratulations.' It was surprising that he called my name, and his words still remain in my memory." Seo Hyunjin said, "He was punctual. He was never late even once. I wanted to be early, and my call was always quick, but he arrived before me," and director Im Kwon-taek said, "When Ahn Sung-ki arrived on set, even I as the director had to be mentally organized. He was an actor who gave vitality to the film."
"No mercy" was also a major turning point in Ahn Sung-ki's life, because Ahn Sung-ki, who had only played protagonists, met audiences as a villain. Shin Hyun-joon said, "It isn't easy for a sunbaenim who kept playing protagonists to let go. For an actor to have his name pushed back is very difficult. Sunbaenim loved film so much that he seemed to accept everything. So juniors saw that and moved forward, and he set an example showing that whatever role comes, one can cross between lead and supporting roles." Park Myung-hoon recalled the film "Radio Star" and said, "That role seemed to show the sunbaenim's nature of loving his juniors."
Ahn Sung-ki's attention was always on film and younger filmmakers. He attended the Bucheon International Fantastic Film Festival every year and kept his place, introducing himself as a "film industry worker." His efforts to broaden the base for short films, which lacked screening venues, bore fruit in the Asiana International Short Film Festival. He appeared in low-budget films without pay and supported rookie directors. Myung Films CEO Shim Jae-myung said, "In the last few years before he passed, he readily appeared in projects at the level of independent films. He stepped up for works where his use was needed. He never once said he would retire." Director Lee Myung-se recalled, "Some people were quietly dissatisfied that he didn't raise his guarantee. Even when they said they'd raise it, he insisted on taking only that amount, saying this is all I'll take, and producers couldn't dislike that."
Ahn Sung-ki was also someone who devoted long years to children through service and giving. Regarding Ahn Sung-ki reaching out first to UNICEF in 1988, the year his eldest son was born, Cho Mi-jin, secretary general of the Korean Committee for UNICEF, recalled, "He asked whether there was anything he could do for children around the world." Serving as a goodwill ambassador for 40 years, Ahn Sung-ki earned the trust and respect of many. Novelist Kim Hong-shin said, "Ahn Sung-ki's very character is to help others privately in a way that does not make them uncomfortable," and Kim Soo-chul said, "Patients at Sorokdo Hospital had never seen a celebrity, so when I contacted Ahn Sung-ki he willingly agreed." Professor Seo Kyoung-duk expressed gratitude, saying, "He willingly narrated a video to commemorate the 100th anniversary of the March 1 movement and the 100th anniversary of the provisional government, and to publicize little-known local independence activists," conveying appreciation.
In 2022, Ahn Sung-ki participated in "Hansan: Rising of the Dragon" despite battling illness. Director Kim Han-min recalled, "He never showed it. At the last shoot there were times his complexion didn't look well. His professional responsibility and pride were stronger than anyone's." In addition, he continued his activities appearing in works such as "Cassiopeia" and "Birth." Ahn Sung-ki's final work, "Birth," remained a meaningful film for him as a devout Catholic. Also, even while battling blood cancer and having lost his hair, Ahn Sung-ki continued his role as chairman of the Shin Young-kyun Art Foundation, showing his passion.
At the funeral held on the 9th, his son Ahn Da-bin revealed a letter his father had written long ago. Jung Woo-sung held the memorial portrait, Lee Jung-jae carried the medal, and Sul Kyung-gu, Park Chul-min, Joo Ji-hoon, and Yoo Ji-tae served as pallbearers. Ahn Sung-ki, who loved film more than anyone and was always kind. Director Im Kwon-taek said, "Because there was an actor like Ahn Sung-ki, Im Kwon-taek could shine. I'm always thankful," and Lee Mi-Sook said, "Ahn Sung-ki did everything he had to do for our film industry. He worked so hard and thanks to that we can continue to be active. We'll take care of the rest." Park Chul-min mourned, "I couldn't repay all his consideration and love, but I will share it with young juniors in his stead." Byun Yo-Han, choking up, said, "Thank you for being our pillar all this time."
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