Actor Lee Min-jung declined a request for a heart pose at an awards ceremony and then paid tribute to "national actor" the late Ahn Sung-ki.
Lee Min-jung attended the 2026 Korea First Brand Awards ceremony held on the 6th at the Shilla Hotel in Jangchung-dong, Jung-gu, Seoul, wearing a black dress with a white flower on her chest.
During the photo wall session that day, Lee Min-jung was asked to do a "heart pose," but politely declined, saying, "Not today…"
At the ceremony, Lee Min-jung won the grand prize in the celebrity YouTuber institutional sector. Lee said, "I'm happy to start the year by receiving an award as a YouTuber, not as an actor," but added, "As an actor, the teacher (Ahn Sung-ki) gave us immense emotion and remained in history.. With his passing, my heart is heavy. I offer my deepest condolences."
After finishing the awards schedule, Lee Min-jung reportedly went straight to Ahn Sung-ki's memorial altar.
Through her social media (SNS), Lee Min-jung said, "On my way back from paying respects to the teacher, this photo suddenly arrived and startled me. A truly warm and wonderful teacher. I will always remember you," and posted an old photo taken with Ahn Sung-ki.
Ahn Sung-ki died on the 5th at age 74. He had been battling blood cancer since being diagnosed in 2019. The funeral will be held as a film industry funeral under the supervision of the Shin Young-kyun Arts and Culture Foundation and The Korea Film Actors Association. Lee Jung-jae, Jung Woo-sung, and Lee Byung-hun will serve as pallbearers to see him off on his final journey. The funeral procession is at 6 a.m. on the 9th, and the burial site is Byeolgeurida in Yangpyeong.