Ahn Sung-ki's Final Journey, Never Lonely

The final journey of the late Ahn Sung-ki was by no means lonely. Fellow actors Jung Woo-sung and Lee Jung-jae volunteered to serve as chief mourners, staying by his side, while numerous figures from various fields visited the funeral hall to bid him farewell.

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On the 5th, a memorial altar for the late Ahn Sung-ki was set up at the funeral hall of Seoul St. Mary's Hospital in Seocho-gu, Seoul. The chief mourners listed were his wife, Oh So-young, and their two sons. Jung Woo-sung and Lee Jung-jae, who had been affiliated with the same agency as the deceased during his lifetime, remained on one side of the hall, personally receiving visitors.

Many figures from the entertainment and cultural sectors paid their respects. Singer Cho Yong-pil, known to have been a close friend of the late actor for over 60 years, also visited the memorial. He said, "I came when he was hospitalized last time as well. He was discharged safely, so I thought he was doing fine, but for this to happen again so suddenly is truly heartbreaking. He must have still had so much he wanted to do, and the fact that he couldn't overcome this..." expressing his deep sorrow.

He continued, "As a friend, he was a truly good person from a young age. He had a great personality. We were in the same class and sat next to each other. Our homes were close too, so we walked together. Seeing his portrait brings back old memories. After school, we always walked home together".

He added, "I hope he can be at peace up there. I hope he doesn't carry too many regrets. He has family, after all. I even hope that if possible, he can continue his acting life up there". He concluded with a farewell: "Go well, rest comfortably. Sung-gi, let's meet again".

Actor Park Joong-hoon, who worked alongside Ahn Sung-ki as a duo in films such as "Two Cops" and "Radio Star", also visited the funeral hall, holding back tears. He said, "It was a blessing to have made films together with him for 40 years, but more than that, as an actor, I am deeply grateful for the positive influence I received from being with someone of such integrity. I have no words to express this sadness".

Many other colleagues and junior actors who shared ties with the late actor also paid their respects, including Shin Hyun-joon, Lee Deok-hwa, Jin Sun-kyu, Jung Jin-young, Kwon Sang-woo, Song Seung-heon, Choi Soo-jong, Park Kyung-rim, Kim Gyu-ri, Song Kang-ho, Park Hae-jin, and Zo In-sung. Directors Im Kwon-taek and Lee Joon-ik, music critic Lim Jin-mo, and Cho Kuk, leader of the Rebuilding Korea Party, were also among those who accompanied him on his final journey.

Minister of Culture, Sports and Tourism Choi Hwi-young personally visited the funeral hall that day to present the Geumgwan Order of Cultural Merit. The government had previously decided to posthumously confer upon the late actor the Geumgwan Order, the highest honor in the field of popular culture and arts.

Minister Choi said, "I cannot contain my deep sorrow over the fact that Ahn Sung-ki, the most beautiful actor in Korean cinema, has left us so early".

Meanwhile, the late actor passed away at around 9 AM on the 5th in the intensive care unit of Soonchunhyang University Hospital in Yongsan-gu, Seoul. He was 74 years old.

On the 30th of last month, he collapsed at home after choking on food and was transported to the hospital while receiving CPR. He had been undergoing intensive treatment, but after six days in the hospital, he passed away peacefully in the presence of his family.

His funeral will be held as a filmmaker's funeral, jointly organized by the Shin Young-kyun Arts and Culture Foundation and the Korean Film Actors Association. The funeral procession will take place at 6 AM on the 9th, and he will be laid to rest at Byeolgeuridada in Yangpyeong.