Legendary South Korean Actor Ahn Sung-ki Dies At 74

Ahn Sung-ki Death News: Legendary South Korean actor Ahn Sung-ki, one of the most revered and enduring figures in Korean cinema, has died. He was 74 at the time of his death. The actor's demise was confirmed

by his agency, Artist Company, and Seoul’s Soonchunhyang University Hospital. It was stated that the veteran actor had been battling blood cancer. Earlier it was reported that Ahn Sung-Ki collapsed at his home on December 30 while eating. He reportedly went into cardiac arrest, following which emergency services were immediately alerted.Ahn’s career spanned more than six decades and over 130 films, making him a defining presence in the evolution of modern Korean cinema. He began acting at the age of five, debuting in The Twilight Train (1957), and appeared in nearly 70 films as a child actor before stepping away from the industry during his teenage years.

After graduating with top honours in Vietnamese studies from Hankuk University of Foreign Studies, Ahn initially struggled to find his footing as an adult actor. His career resurgence came in the late 1970s, with his breakthrough performance in Lee Jang-ho’s Good, Windy Days (1980), which earned him the Grand Bell Award for Best New Actor.Over the following decades, Ahn became synonymous with understated, authoritative performances, starring in acclaimed films such as Mandara, Whale Hunting, White Badge, Two Cops, Silmido, and Radio Star. His portrayal of a loyal manager to an aging singer in Radio Star remains one of his most beloved roles. In recent times, The Divine Fury is his most memorable work.

Ahn won a record five Grand Bell Awards for Best Actor and was widely respected for a career marked by consistency, integrity, and an absence of controversy. In a 2023 interview cited by AP, he said the public’s expectations pushed him to live and work in a way that justified their trust, adding that he often avoided romantic scenes unless they were narratively essential.Beyond acting, Ahn was an influential figure in Korea’s film community, serving as chair of the Korean Film Actors Association and advocating for performers during times of industry transition. He is survived by his wife, Oh So-yeong, and their two sons.