Ahn Sung-Ki, one of South Korea’s most respected actors and known as the ‘Nation’s Actor’, passes away at 74.
Source: Instagram
Ahn Sung-ki, South Korea’s ‘nation’s actor’ with the most esteemed and long lasting screen performers , who had a career with more than six decades under his belt and shaped the very contours of modern Korean cinema, has died at the age of 74.
The Artist Company, his agency confirmed that the actor passed away at Seoul’s Soonchunhyang University Hospital after a prolonged battle with blood cancer.
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“His acting has always been towards people and life, and through his countless works, he has conveyed deep resonance and comfort across ages and generations”, the agency further stated.
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Born in Daegu, Ahn began his film journey at a very young age, making his screen debut at the age of six in the 1957 film “Twilight Train”.
Over the following decades, he went on to star in big successes like “Silmido”, “Radio Star”, “Mandala” and “A Fine, Windy Day”. The latter won him the best new actor gong at the Grand Bell Awards in 1980, which is the Korean equivalent of the Oscars.
His latest film was Birth in 2022.
Ahn starred in well over 100 films during a 60-year career. The press branded him “the nation’s actor,” but he had previously stated in interviews that he was not really thrilled by this nickname and would rather just be simply be referred to as another film actor.
The star also won numerous awards throughout his career and was beloved in his home nation.
Tributes came in from everyone, including the Korean President Lee Jae Myung, who wrote on Facebook that Ahn has “left a big footprint on Korean film history and cultural arts.” He also added, “I already miss his warm smile and gentle voice.”
The Artist Company said Ahn’s funeral will take place on Friday at Seoul St. Mary’s Hospital Funeral Hall. Ahn is survived by his wife and two children.
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