[OSEN] The government posthumously awarded actor Ahn Sung-ki, who died on the 5th, the Order of Cultural Merit's highest grade, the Geumgwan (Gold Crown) Order of Cultural Merit. As a measure to honor his contributions to the development of culture and the arts and to the public's enjoyment of culture, Minister Chae Hwi-young of the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism presented the decoration on behalf of the government.
This Geumgwan Order of Cultural Merit followed the Bogwan (Treasure Crown) Order of Cultural Merit (3rd grade) in 2005 and the Eungwan (Silver Crown) Order of Cultural Merit (2nd grade) in 2013, marking his third decoration. It carried the meaning of officially honoring his contributions that led the growth and leap of Korean cinema over more than 60 years.
Ahn Sung-ki debuted in 1957 with the film "Twilight Train" and appeared in more than 130 works including "A Fine, Windy Day," "Whale Hunting," "Two Cops," "Silmido," "May 18," and Hansan: Rising Dragon, leaving performances that spanned generations. In particular, through "Silmido," he opened the era of the first 10 million admissions in Korean cinema and was regarded as an actor symbolizing popularity and industrial growth.
He received many awards at major ceremonies such as the Grand Bell Awards, Blue Dragon, and Baeksang, and lived his life alongside Korean cinema as a "national actor." The deceased passed away at 9 a.m. on this day in the intensive care unit of Soonchunhyang University Hospital in Yongsan-gu, Seoul, with his family at his side, and the funeral was held as a film industry funeral. The wake was set up at Seoul St. Mary's Hospital Funeral Hall, and the procession was solemnly held at 6 a.m. on the 9th.