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| ▲ Kim Dong-ho, then-chairman of the Busan International Film Festival, and actor Ahn Sung-ki exchange greetings at the opening ceremony of the 15th Busan International Film Festival (PIFF) held at the Suyeongman Yacht Marina in Haeundae, Busan, on Oct. 7, 2010. (Yonhap) |
SEOUL,
Jan. 6 (Yonhap) --
Actor Park Joong-hoon said in a trembling voice as he visited the funeral altar of actor Ahn Sung-ki at Seoul St. Mary’s Hospital on Thursday, adding that there were “no words to express this sadness.”
As the nation mourned the passing of Ahn, widely regarded as a “national actor,” numerous figures from the film industry and beyond visited the mortuary to pay their respects.
Park, who worked with Ahn on films including “Chilsu and Mansu” (1988), “Two Cops” (1993), “Nowhere to Hide” (1999) and “Radio Star” (2006), said, “I will never forget the influence my senior had on the film industry and the love he gave to fellow actors, both seniors and juniors.”
“I humbly ask audiences and the people of this country to remember Ahn Sung-ki forever,” he added.
Veteran director Im Kwon-taek also visited the altar. Im worked with Ahn on multiple films, including “Teacher of Ten Sisters” (1964), in which Ahn appeared as a child actor, as well as “Mandala” (1981), “Taebaek Mountains” (1994) and “Revivre” (2014).
“He was a good person and an actor who was truly devoted to his work. That kind of life is not easy to live,” Im said. “Whenever we met on set, he was always reassuring. As a director, I never once felt anxious about him as an actor — he was that outstanding.”
Expressing regret, Im added, “It’s deeply saddening,” saying he thought to himself while looking at Ahn’s portrait, “I’ll be following you before long.”
Novelist Kim Hong-shin also visited the funeral hall. He first met Ahn at a broadcasting station and later shared meals with him several times while working together at the Gangneung Film Festival.
“A few months ago, I noticed his voice was weak and thought he might not be well, but I never imagined he would leave so soon,” Kim said.
He recalled receiving a blessing from Pope Francis together with Ahn in 2022, despite the actor’s poor health.
“Even when he was physically unwell and leaning on me as he walked, if someone asked for a photo, he instantly became an actor and smiled brightly,” Kim said. “In ‘Birth,’ he only had three scenes as a supporting role, but as a Catholic, he said he would ‘absolutely do it’ and pushed through despite his illness. He truly lived and died as an actor.”
“Birth,” released in 2022, tells the story of Kim Dae-geon, Korea’s first Catholic priest. Ahn played senior interpreter Yoo Jin-gil in the film.
Actor Kim Hyung-il, who worked with Ahn on films such as “Blue in You” (1992) and “The President Who Plays the Piano” (2002), also paid his respects.
“Whenever I saw him, I wanted to tell him, ‘I love you, brother,’ but I never got the chance,” Kim said. “At the funeral, I said it silently in my heart and asked him to watch over us from a good place.”
Figures from the music industry also visited, sharing memories of the late actor.
Singer Kim Soo-chul, who appeared in the film “Whale Hunting” at Ahn’s recommendation, remembered him as “like an older brother.”
“I had been preparing myself mentally for the past couple of months, but it still doesn’t feel good,” Kim said. “He was both a ‘talented man’ and a ‘complete man’ in character — someone with deep humanity and a true elder.”
Kim said he first met Ahn nearly 50 years ago while part of a film club during his university days and maintained a close relationship ever since. In “Whale Hunting,” Kim played Byung-tae, a timid philosophy student, acting alongside Ahn.
“Director Bae Chang-ho was looking for someone short and a bit awkward, and Ahn recommended me,” Kim recalled. “We ended up filming together, and during the shoot, we lived in the same room for four months. He took care of me in so many ways.”
Singer Tae Jin-ah also expressed gratitude and sorrow, recalling that Ahn appeared in the music video for “Black Glasses,” a song by his son, singer Eru.
“To me, he was like an older brother. It still doesn’t feel real that he’s gone,” Tae said, holding back tears.
Music critic Lim Jin-mo, who served with Ahn as a board member of the CJ Cultural Foundation, said, “He was someone who dramatically elevated the level of Korea’s film industry. In that sense, all of us owe a debt to Ahn Sung-ki.”
Political figures also joined the line of mourners.
Cho Kuk, leader of the Rebuilding Korea Party, said he visited the funeral as a fan despite having no personal connection with Ahn. “It feels lonely paying my respects,” he said. “I believe the global popularity of K-dramas and K-films exists because of someone like him, who lived his entire life in film from childhood.”
Rep. Bae Hyun-jin of the People Power Party, who met Ahn during award ceremonies while working as an announcer, said, “I hope he rests in peace in heaven, receiving even greater love than he gave to the people.”
Song Young-gil, leader of the Pine Tree Party, also visited the funeral hall late in the evening to pay his respects.
In addition, actors Lee Jung-jae, Jung Woo-sung, Kwon Sang-woo, Song Seung-heon, Kim Gyu-ri, Lee Deok-hwa, Jung Jin-young and Lee Jin-chung, as well as directors Lee Joon-ik, Ryoo Seung-wan and Kang Woo-suk, singer Bada and Park Yong-maan, chairman of the Korea Chamber of Commerce and Industry, were among those who offered condolences.
Actors Jeon Do-yeon and Kim Sang-kyung sent floral wreaths in tribute.
A separate condolence space for the general public will be set up at the Seoul Film Center, open from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. from Friday through Sunday.
“We have opened the space as we are receiving many inquiries from people wishing to pay their respects,” said Park Sang-won, external affairs chief of Ahn Sung-ki’s funeral committee.
The funeral procession is scheduled for 6 a.m. on Jan. 9, with burial to take place at Byeolgeurida Cemetery in Yangpyeong.
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