As "national actor" Ahn Sung-ki died at age 74, his ties with his friend of more than 60 years, "king of singers" Cho Yong-pil, are drawing renewed attention.
Their connection goes back to middle school. Born on Jan. 1, Ahn entered school early and attended Seoul Kyungdong Middle School with Cho Yong-pil. They are said to have been desk mates in their third year.
As children, the two lived in neighboring areas—Donam-dong in Seoul (Ahn Sung-ki) and Jeongneung (Cho Yong-pil)—and are well known as lifelong friends in the entertainment industry.
A black-and-white photo they took together during a school trip to Ganghwa Island in their second year of middle school was revealed on a past broadcast and became a hot topic.
Appearing on KBS Big Show in 1997, Cho said, "(Ahn Sung-ki) was my middle school classmate and in the same class," adding, "I was No. 29, and Ahn Sung-ki was my partner, No. 30."
Cho said, "It might have been Christmas. My family wouldn't let me go out, but Sung-ki called me from outside. I can't tell you how happy I was," adding, "My father said, 'It's fine to hang out with Ahn Sung-ki as much as you want, but not with the other kids.'"
At the time, Ahn was working as a child actor, and Cho is said to have been an ordinary student.
In 2018, Ahn kicked off a relay interview series marking Cho's 50th debut anniversary, recalling, "(Cho Yong-pil) was a very close friend who often came over to my house," and, "Looking at old photos, (Cho Yong-pil) had the look of a model student."
He added, "Because he was a quiet model student, I never dreamed he would become a singer," and, "No one sensed any sign of it—only God might have known—and I never imagined he would go into an art that expresses with one's body."
He continued, "If my friend Cho Yong-pil is an ordinary person just as a natural human being, the singer Cho Yong-pil is tremendous. A true giant," praising, "Beyond vocal prowess, his creative drive to make something new—those things are truly exemplary."
Ahn also said he often enjoyed singing many of Cho's songs. Among his favorites, he even sang a line from "Come Back to Busan Port."
He affectionately called the king of singers "Yong-pil" and said, "I hope you will always be by our side, sharing much fun, happiness, and joy."
Ahn has openly spoken about his friendship with Cho on TV interviews and talk shows.
In 1997, Ahn also made a surprise appearance as a guest on KBS music program Big Show, where the king of singers appeared. On the broadcast, Ahn sang his favorite "Johnny Guitar" by Peggy Lee together with Cho's guitar accompaniment.
After singing "Johnny Guitar" with Cho, Ahn said, "It's truly an honor to have sung on a stage like this. We are close, but singing next to Cho Yong-pil made me a bit nervous and honored," adding, "I'll be right by your side watching, so I hope we can meet again around your 20th album and have a chance then to share even richer stories."
Twenty-seven years after that broadcast, in 2024, Cho released his 20th album. But as Ahn had been battling blood cancer since 2019, the two did not reunite in public settings such as broadcasts.
The two stars also worked together. Ahn appeared in Korea's first 10 million-ticket film, "Silmido," and Cho produced the music video for the title track "Eye of the Sun" from his 18th studio album using scenes from the film.
A 2013 scene of the two receiving, side by side, the Eungwan Order of Cultural Merit, the highest honor at the Korea Popular Culture and Arts Awards, also drew attention. After receiving the decoration, Cho linked arms with Ahn and chatted warmly, a scene that drew notice.