According to Yonhap News, Ahn Sung Ki died on the morning of January 5 at Soonchunhyang University Hospital in Yongsan, Seoul, while receiving treatment in the intensive care unit, with his family by his side. On December 30, 2025, he collapsed at home after choking on food and losing consciousness. He was rushed to the hospital in cardiac arrest and placed in intensive care, but despite medical efforts, he passed away six days later.
His agency, Artist Company, released an official statement confirming the news of his death. The agency said, “Actor Ahn Sung Ki walked alongside the history of Korean popular culture with a deep sense of duty toward acting and unwavering sincerity. His performances were always directed toward people and life itself, delivering profound resonance and comfort across generations through countless works.”
They added, “Above all, Ahn Sung Ki valued dignity and responsibility as a human being even more than as an actor, respecting fellow artists and film sets alike. He was truly deserving of the title ‘national actor.’”
Ahn Sung Ki first entered the film industry in 1957 as a child actor in director Kim Ki Young’s Twilight Train. Over a career spanning nearly 69 years, he appeared in more than 170 films, leaving an indelible mark on Korean cinema. He received both critical and public acclaim for iconic works such as Mandala (1981) and Revivre (2015), as well as popular films including Two Cops (1993) and Nowhere to Hide (1999).
Despite being diagnosed with blood cancer in 2019, Ahn Sung Ki continued preparing for a return to acting, demonstrating his lifelong dedication to his craft.
His funeral will be held as a filmmakers’ funeral, jointly organized by the Shin Young Kyun Arts and Culture Foundation and the Korea Film Actors Association. Veteran actor Shin Young Kyun will serve as honorary funeral chair, while director Bae Chang Ho, Korea Film Actors Association chairman Lee Gap Sung, Shin Young Kyun Arts and Culture Foundation acting head Shin Eon Sik, and Korea Film Artists Association chairman Yang Yoon Ho will act as co-chairs. Actors Lee Jung Jae and Jung Woo Sung will take part as pallbearers, accompanying him on his final journey.
The funeral altar has been set up at Room 31 of the Seoul St. Mary’s Hospital funeral hall. The funeral procession will take place at 6 a.m. on January 9, with burial at Byeolgeurida in Yangpyeong.
The agency also requested, “In consideration of the wishes of the deceased and the feelings of the bereaved family, we sincerely ask that excessive coverage and speculative reporting of unverified information be avoided.”
Ahn Sung Ki’s passing marks the end of an era in Korean cinema, leaving behind a legacy of integrity, warmth, and unforgettable performances.
Sources: Wikitree
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