Ahn Sung-ki Dead at 74: South Korea Mourns Loss of Beloved 'Nation's Actor'

South Korean cinema legend Ahn Sung-ki died January 5, 2026, at Soonchunhyang University Hospital in Seoul. He was 74. The actor, revered as "The Nation's Actor" for his six-decade career, passed away at 9 a.m. surrounded by family after spending six days in intensive care.

Ahn collapsed at his home on December 30 following a choking incident while eating. Despite receiving cardiopulmonary resuscitation and emergency treatment, he never regained consciousness. His death came after years of battling blood cancer, first diagnosed in 2019.

From Child Star to Cinema Icon

Born in Daegu in 1952 to a filmmaker father, Ahn debuted at age five in "The Twilight Train" (1957). He appeared in roughly 70 films as a child actor before leaving the industry to pursue education. After graduating with honors from Hankuk University of Foreign Studies with a Vietnamese language degree, Ahn struggled to find corporate work following Vietnam's 1975 communist victory. He returned to acting in 1977.

His adult breakthrough arrived in 1980 with "Good, Windy Days," earning him the Grand Bell Award for Best New Actor. The performance launched one of Korean cinema's most distinguished careers, spanning approximately 140 films across multiple genres and generations.

Record-Breaking Legacy

Ahn holds the unmatched record of five Grand Bell Awards for Best Actor-a feat no other Korean actor has achieved. He won major acting honors across four consecutive decades (1980s-2010s), demonstrating remarkable consistency throughout Korean cinema's evolution.

His filmography includes iconic roles: a Buddhist monk in "Mandala" (1981), detective in "Two Cops" (1993), and special forces trainer in "Silmido" (2003)-the first Korean film to surpass 10 million ticket sales. His work with co-star Park Joong-hoon in "Radio Star" (2006) particularly resonated, with Ahn later saying the role of a devoted manager most resembled his real-life personality.

Film Industry Funeral Honors Legacy

The funeral, organized by the Shin Young-kyun Arts & Culture Foundation and Korea Film Actors Association, will be held as a Film Industry Funeral. Fellow actors Lee Jung-jae, Jung Woo-sung, and Lee Byung-hun will serve as pallbearers, with eulogies from director Bae Chang-ho and actor Jung Woo-sung.

The wake is being held at Seoul St. Mary's Hospital Funeral Hall. The funeral procession is scheduled for 6 a.m. on January 9, with burial at Byeolgeurida Cemetery in Yangpyeong.

Entertainment Industry Pays Respects

The Korean entertainment community expressed overwhelming grief. Actress Lee Young-ae posted white chrysanthemums on Instagram with the message "I pray for the deceased's rest in peace." Singer Bae Chul-soo shared a photo, remembering Ahn as someone "who always smiled warmly whenever we met." Singer-songwriter Yoon Jong-shin wrote: "Thank you for such a long time. I will not forget you."

Junior actors also paid tribute. Lee Si-eon expressed, "I grew up watching your performances and always respected you." Shin Hyun-joon, who worked with Ahn on "Taebaek Mountains," described him as someone who taught that "a good actor is a good person."

60-Year Friendship with Music Legend

Among mourners was legendary singer Cho Yong-pil, Ahn's friend of 60 years since they were middle school classmates and seatmates at Kyungdong Middle School-Cho was student number 29, Ahn number 30.

Cho visited the funeral hall despite being mid-concert tour, telling reporters: "Last time he was hospitalized and recovered well, he told me 'Yong-pil, I'm all better now.' It's heartbreaking this happened suddenly."

Their friendship was publicly celebrated. In 1997, Ahn surprised audiences on KBS's "Big Show," singing Peggy Lee's "Johnny Guitar" with Cho's guitar accompaniment. In 2018, Ahn served as the first interviewee for Cho's 50th anniversary celebration. In 2013, both received the Eungwan Order of Cultural Merit-Korea's highest cultural honor-together.

Humanitarian Work Beyond Acting

Beyond cinema, Ahn served as a UNICEF Goodwill Ambassador for over three decades. UNICEF Korea Committee paid tribute, calling him "a steadfast pillar of hope for children worldwide" who "devoted his life to protecting children just as much as to his acting career."

Ahn maintained a reputation as a humble, family-oriented celebrity who avoided scandals throughout his career. Public surveys consistently named him South Korea's most beloved actor. He once said he initially felt confined by "The Nation's Actor" title before accepting it guided him toward living honorably.

Posthumous National Honor

Culture Minister Choi Hwi-young visited the funeral hall to posthumously confer the Geumgwan Order of Cultural Merit (Gold Crown, First Class)-the highest arts honor.

The ministry stated Ahn "showed performances that bridged generations and lived his life alongside Korean cinema, symbolizing the popular leap and industrial growth of Korean cinema in the 1990s-2000s."

Family and Final Days

Ahn was diagnosed with blood cancer in 2019, received a clean bill of health in 2020, but the disease returned. His condition rapidly deteriorated in late 2025. He is survived by his wife, sculptor Oh So-yeong, and two sons.

His agency, Artist Company, stated: "Actor Ahn Sung-ki accompanied the history of South Korea's popular culture with deep mission toward acting and unwavering sincerity. Through numerous works he delivered deep resonance and comfort across eras and generations."