"May He Be Remembered Forever"... Tears at Ahn Sungki's Funeral as Park Joonghoon and Im Kwontaek Bid Farewell

Film and Political Figures Pay Their Respects

The funeral hall for actor Ahn Sung-ki was set up on the 5th at Seoul St. Mary's Hospital in Seocho-gu, Seoul. Photo by Joint Press Corps

On January 5, a procession of film industry figures continued to pay their respects at the funeral hall for 'national actor' Ahn Sungki, which was set up at Seoul St. Mary's Hospital in Seocho-gu, Seoul.

Actor Park Joonghoon, who worked with the late Ahn in films such as "Two Cops" (1993) and "Radio Star" (2006), visited the funeral hall that day and said, "It was a privilege to make movies with my senior. He was not only an inspiration as an actor but also as a person, and I cannot express how saddened I am."

Director Im Kwontaek, who arrived at the funeral hall supported by Park Joonghoon, could not hide his grief. Im, who collaborated with Ahn on works such as "Teacher of Crossbills" (1964), "Taebaek Mountains" (1994), and "Revivre" (2014), recalled, "He was a truly devoted person and actor." He added, "On set, he was always so comfortable that he never made the director anxious. I feel like I will soon follow after him. It is deeply regrettable."

Many leading figures and colleagues from the film industry continued to visit. Director Bae Changho, who worked with Ahn on 13 films, lamented, "There was still so much for him to do for the film industry, but he left us too soon." Actor Kim Donghyun said, "I hope he is well and free from pain wherever he is now," with tears in his eyes. Actor Shin Hyunjun also visited the funeral hall, shedding tears as he paid tribute to the late actor.

Cho Kuk, leader of the Cho Kuk Innovation Party, also visited the funeral hall and remarked, "The late Ahn was a foundational figure in the global popularity of K-content. It is thanks to his lifelong dedication to film that the current wave of enthusiasm is possible."

'National actor' Ahn Sungki passed away on the 5th. Yonhap News

Artist Company, Ahn's agency, expressed in a statement, "Before being an actor, he was a true national actor who valued dignity and responsibility as a person. He moved audiences across eras and generations."

The funeral will be held as a film industry service, jointly organized by the Shin Youngkyun Arts and Culture Foundation and the Korean Actors Association. Led by Honorary Funeral Committee Chair Shin Youngkyun, Director Bae Changho, Lee Gapseong, Chairman of the Korean Actors Association, and two others will serve as co-chairs of the funeral committee.

The memorial ceremony will be held at 7 a.m. on January 9. Prior to that, the funeral procession will begin at 6 a.m., with actors Lee Jungjae and Jung Woosung among those carrying the casket to bid a final farewell. The burial site is Byeolgeurida in Yangpyeong, Gyeonggi Province.

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.