National Actor, Ahn Sung-ki Passes Away...

Ahn Sung-ki has ultimately passed away without regaining consciousness.

On January 5, the funeral committee for actor Ahn Sung-ki announced that he passed away around 9 AM. Ahn Sung-ki was transported to the hospital in a state of cardiac arrest on December 30, 2025, and while his breathing returned, he remained in an unconscious state, deepening the public's sorrow. He had been battling blood cancer since 2019, and his health rapidly deteriorated, ultimately passing away while surrounded by his family.

Ahn Sung-ki debuted at the age of 5 in 1957 and has been one of the most reliable actors in the Korean entertainment industry for over 70 years, earning the nickname 'National Actor.' No matter the role, he captivated audiences with his unique gravitas, showcasing a strong presence through various characters in both leading and supporting roles.

During his youth in the 1980s, he captured the film industry as the face of youth with films like 〈A Good Day for the Wind〉, 〈The Little Ball Launched by the Dwarf〉, 〈Whale Hunting〉, and 〈Between Knees〉. From the 1990s onward, he demonstrated a wide range of genres with films like 〈Southern Army〉, 〈White War〉, 〈Two Cops〉, and 〈No Mercy for the Rude〉. He also met many audiences with box office hits in the 2000s and 2010s, including the first Korean film to attract 10 million viewers, 〈Silmido〉, as well as 〈Radio Star〉, 〈Splendid Holiday〉, 〈Tower〉, and 〈The Divine Move〉.

He also captivated filmmakers worldwide through his collaborations with director Im Kwon-taek. They worked together on a total of seven films, including 〈Mandala〉, 〈Festival〉, 〈Painted Fire〉, and 〈The Foul King〉. Even in his middle age, when he was regarded as a giant in the film industry, he took on leading roles in low-budget films like 〈Fair Love〉, 〈Broken Arrow〉, and 〈In the Name of the Son〉, injecting vitality into the film industry.

The national actor Ahn Sung-ki has performed passionately in over 150 films, excluding those where the film or materials have been lost. His funeral is set to take place at the Seoul St. Mary's Hospital funeral hall, room 31, in Seocho-gu, Seoul, and he will be laid to rest at Byeolgrida in Yangpyeong, Gyeonggi Province after the funeral on the morning of the 9th at 9 AM.