On the morning of January 9, at the chapel hall of Myeongdong Cathedral in Seoul, Ahn Sung-ki’s eldest son, Ahn Da-bin, stepped onto the podium as the family representative during the film industry funeral service. Fighting back emotion, he shared a personal letter his father had written to him when he was just five years old.
Ahn Da-bin began by reflecting on his father’s values, saying that Ahn Sung-ki always feared causing harm or inconvenience to others more than anything else. He expressed the family’s gratitude to those who had shown love and support, adding that it felt heavy-hearted that all they could offer in return were words of thanks. He also shared his belief that even in heaven, his father would still be thinking about films, preparing for roles, and upholding the professional spirit of an actor.
Although the reading was not planned in advance, Ahn Da-bin explained that he recently found the letter in his father’s study a place he had always considered sacred. The letter was written as part of a kindergarten assignment, when Ahn Sung-ki would respond to his son’s drawings with handwritten notes. While it was addressed to him personally, he felt its message was meant for everyone and decided to share it.
In the letter, Ahn Sung-ki wrote about the joy of first seeing his newborn son’s tiny face and how proud he felt watching him grow into a thoughtful young man. He spoke of the kind of person he hoped his son would become someone humble, honest, loving, and responsible, who gives their best in work and respects time.
He went on to encourage his son to face failure and sorrow with inner peace, to never lose himself in the face of hardship, and to keep challenging life with courage and ambition. The letter concluded with a line that resonated deeply with everyone present: “My son, never forget that what this world truly needs is kind people.”
As Ahn Da-bin struggled to finish reading, overwhelmed by emotion, the memorial hall was filled with quiet sobs.
Ahn Sung-ki passed away after collapsing at home on December 30, 2025 while battling blood cancer. Despite emergency treatment and intensive care, he did not recover and passed away peacefully with his family by his side.
In recognition of his immense contributions to Korean cinema, the government posthumously awarded him the Geumgwan Order of Cultural Merit, the highest cultural honor. The Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism described him as a national actor who embodied the history of Korean film across generations, symbolizing its popular and industrial growth and helping expand its cultural and social reach.
Sources: Nate
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