Actor Ahn Seong-ki passed away at the age of 74 on the morning of the 5th. He was a representative actor who shared the history of Korean cinema, providing laughter and emotion to the public for 69 years. Ahn Seong-ki spent his final moments at Soonchunhyang University Hospital in Yongsan-gu, Seoul, surrounded by his family. He had been battling in a coma in the intensive care unit for six days after collapsing at home due to food choking on the 30th of last month.

His agency, Artist Company, stated, "Ahn Seong-ki was a person with a deep sense of mission and sincerity about acting, who has been part of the history of popular culture in South Korea." They added, "His performances were directed towards people and life, conveying deep resonance and comfort across eras and generations through numerous works," paying tribute to the late actor.

Ahn Seong-ki was born on January 1, 1952, in Daegu and made his debut at the age of five in the film 'Twilight Train.' He focused on his studies during his teenage years, but began his serious acting career in his late twenties with a leading role in director Lee Jang-ho's 'A Good Day to Be Wind.' He then solidified his position by taking leading roles in films from prominent directors in the 1980s. His notable works include 'Whale Hunting' (1984), 'Deep Blue Night' (1985), and 'Our Joyful Young Days' (1987).

Director Bae Chang-ho expressed his sorrow, saying, "It is regrettable that he left us so early when there is still much to be done for the film industry." He added, "I pray for the repose of his soul and wish to remember the precious works he left behind with the audience for a long time."

In the 1990s, he delivered impressive performances in 'Two Cops' (1993) and 'No Mercy for the Rude' (1999), while in the 2000s, he left significant works like 'Silmido' (2003) and 'Radio Star' (2006). Throughout his life, he appeared in about 150 works, leaving a diverse legacy in Korean cinema.

Ahn Seong-ki received the Best New Actor award at the Daejong Film Awards in 1980 for 'A Good Day to Be Wind,' and went on to win over 40 awards such as Best Actor and acting awards at domestic and international film festivals. In 2013, he was awarded the Silver Crown Cultural Medal, the highest honor in the field of popular culture and arts.

He always took the lead in voicing concerns for the Korean film industry. In 2006, during the Korea-U.S. Free Trade Agreement negotiations, he served as a co-chairman of the Screen Quota Defense Committee and participated in relay one-person protests. He was also respected for his character, having had no scandals throughout his over fifty years of activity, and was the first to attend the ceremonies of his juniors and seniors.

Ahn Seong-ki was diagnosed with blood cancer in 2019 but received a full recovery diagnosis after treatment. However, he later relapsed and continued to battle illness. His last public appearance was about three years ago, attending the 'April 19 Democracy Peace Prize' ceremony in April 2023, and he appeared at director Jeong Ji-young's 40th-anniversary retrospective in September. However, as his health deteriorated, he refrained from going out.

In response to the news of his passing, Archbishop Jung Soon-taek of the Archdiocese of Seoul expressed his condolences, stating, "The authentic presence in his works that brought hope, comfort, and warm happiness to the people has become a bright light in our society."

Ahn Seong-ki's funeral will be organized by the Shin Young-kyun Arts and Culture Foundation and the Korean Actors Association, held as a film artist's funeral. Honorary funeral chairman will be veteran actor Shin Young-kyun, and co-chairmen will include director Bae Chang-ho, Lee Gab-seong, chairman of the Korean Actors Association, Shin Eon-sik, acting head of the Shin Young-kyun Arts and Culture Foundation, and Yang Yun-ho, chairman of the Korean Film Association. The funeral hall is set to be room 31 at Seoul St. Mary's Hospital, with the funeral scheduled for 6 AM on the 9th. The burial site will be in Yangpyeong.