The Korean entertainment industry is in mourning following the passing of revered “national actor” Ahn Sung Ki, who died on January 5 at the age of 74. His death comes amid a series of heartbreaking losses that have shaken the industry from late 2025 into early 2026.
According to the Ahn Sung Ki Funeral Committee, the legendary actor passed away peacefully on the morning of January 5 while receiving treatment in the intensive care unit at Soonchunhyang University Hospital in Yongsan, Seoul, surrounded by his family. He had collapsed at home on December 30, 2025 after choking on food and was admitted to the ICU in an unconscious state. Despite six days of intensive care, he ultimately did not regain consciousness.
Ahn Sung Ki’s funeral will be held as a film industry funeral, organized by the Shin Young Kyun Arts & Culture Foundation and the Korea Film Actors Association. Actors Lee Jung Jae and Jung Woo Sung will serve as pallbearers, accompanying him on his final journey.
The late actor had been battling blood cancer since 2019, yet he remained committed to recovery and was preparing to return to acting. Even shortly before his collapse, he reportedly continued to express deep affection for film and for those around him. According to a Channel A News report on January 2, Ahn Sung Ki personally chaired a meeting of the Shin Young Kyun Arts & Culture Foundation, where he served as chairman, and told attendees, “Let’s all stay healthy. I exercise every day,” just before losing consciousness.
Ahn Sung Ki’s passing follows a succession of notable deaths that have left the entertainment world reeling. Veteran actor Lee Soon Jae passed away on November 25, 2025, at the age of 91. Despite his advanced age, he remained active in theater and television, and the government posthumously awarded him the Geumgwan Order of Cultural Merit in recognition of his contributions.
Actress Kim Ji Mi died on December 7, 2025, at the age of 85 in Los Angeles. Renowned theater actress Yoon Seok Hwa passed away on December 19, 2025 after battling a brain tumor. Voice actress Song Do Soon died on December 31, 2025, with many revisiting and honoring the iconic works she left behind through her voice. Most recently, actor Kim Young In passed away on January 4, 2026, at the age of 82.
The consecutive losses from late 2025 into early 2026 have cast a heavy shadow over the Korean entertainment industry, prompting reflection on the passing of an entire generation of cultural icons.
Fans have taken to online communities to share their grief and tributes, leaving messages such as, “So many celebrities the nation loved are leaving us. I hope they are at peace,” “It truly feels like the end of an era,” and “It’s heartbreaking to see figures I grew up watching on TV leaving us one by one.”
As Korea bids farewell to these beloved stars, their legacy lives on through the countless works and memories they left behind, continuing to shape and inspire generations to come.
Sources: Daum
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