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| ▲ A medal is placed at the funeral altar of late actor Ahn Sung-ki at Seoul St. Mary’s Hospital on Jan. 5, 2026, in this press pool photo. The government posthumously awarded him the Gold Crown Order of Cultural Merit, the highest honor in the field of popular culture and arts. (Yonhap) |
SEOUL,
Jan. 6 (Yonhap) --
Actress Hwang Shin-hye wrote on social media Friday, “Being able to make films together on the same set, in front of the same camera, was a great honor in my life,” adding, “Thank you for being a pillar of Korean cinema for so long.”
“I will never forget the moments we shared,” she wrote in her farewell message, saying she had “truly respected” the late actor. Hwang co-starred with Ahn in the 1987 film “Our Joyful Young Days.”
Actress Song Sun-mi shared photos from the 1998 film “The Zoo Next Door,” in which she appeared alongside Ahn. Posting images of herself acting with a young Ahn 28 years ago, she wrote, “It was an honor to work with you.”
Ok Taec-yeon, who acted with Ahn in the 2022 film “Hansan,” posted a photo taken with the late actor at a script-reading session and recalled their first meeting.
“I remember how nervous and excited I was when I first met him and timidly asked if he would take a photo with me,” Ok wrote. “He responded with the kindest smile and said yes. Thank you for always greeting us with a smile on set.”
Singer and television personality Lee Sang-min also paid tribute, writing, “From my childhood through my teens, 20s, 30s and 40s, the image of national actor Ahn Sung-ki in countless works will remain with me forever. He made me laugh and cry. May he rest in peace.”
Singer Bada recalled her personal memories with Ahn, writing, “He would warmly say, ‘Bada, I’m always cheering for you,’ and speak to me first.” She added, “They were precious days when I was able to witness up close the deep warmth of a true elder.”
The two were known to have maintained a close relationship, meeting at church, sharing meals and even going on fishing outings together.
Actresses Go Hyun-jung and Lee Young-ae, actors Jang Hyuk and Uhm Ji-won, and singer Hong Kyung-min also posted photos of chrysanthemums or images of Ahn in his youth on social media, praying for his eternal rest.
Ahn’s eldest son, Ahn Da-bin, expressed gratitude for the outpouring of condolences through social media.
Posting a photo of white chrysanthemums, he wrote, “I sincerely thank you for the warm words of comfort.”
Earlier, Ahn shared the cover of the photo book for the 1993 film “To the Starry Island” to express his grief. The film starred Ahn Sung-ki and featured Ahn Da-bin as a child actor.
The funeral altar for the late actor, set up at Seoul St. Mary’s Hospital, continued to receive mourners for a second day. Actors Jung Woo-sung and Lee Jung-jae, juniors of Ahn at his agency, have been keeping vigil at the altar with the bereaved family and are also scheduled to serve as pallbearers.
The funeral procession is set for 6 a.m. on Friday.
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