On the 5th, after news of the passing of ‘national actor’ Ahn Sung-ki, tributes followed for the deceased, a living witness to Korean cinema history. Colleagues said that from his acting to his character, he was “a warm and admirable person.”

Director Lee Jang-ho, who directed <A Good Windy Day> (1980), told the Kyunghyang Shinmun by phone that the deceased “had a diligence and passion different from other actors,” adding, “actors tend to put on airs once they become successful, but Ahn Sung-ki had none of that at all.”

Director Bae Chang-ho, who collaborated with the deceased on the most works (13), said by phone, “He still had many things to do for the Korean film industry, and I cannot hide my sorrow,” offering his condolences. He said he had a meal with him about a year and a half ago: “At that time he was well enough to go out, but afterward he refrained from appearing in public and, as I understand it, persevered in his battle.”

Bae said the deceased “was an actor who loved movies and felt as comfortable on set as if it were home.” “For a film actor, the close-up is very important; I liked, as a director, the unspoken atmosphere that comes through on screen, the eyes full of melancholy, and the humanity imbued with goodness that seeped out no matter what role he played. Even in villainous roles, he gave performances suffused with compassion.” Bae said he once quietly worried that the label ‘national actor’ might be a heavy burden, but “he bore that responsibility well.”

Actor Park Joong-hoon “had a positive influence”
Singer Cho Yong-pil “He was a truly good friend”
President Lee “Respect for a life that showed dignity”

Director Lee Joon-ik, who worked with him on <Radio Star> (2006), said by phone, “His way of treating colleagues and seniors and juniors on set made you sincerely feel ‘respect,’” adding that the sorrow of seeing him off “is beyond words.”

Colleagues who visited the funeral hall at Seoul St. Mary’s Hospital in Seocho-gu, Seoul, could not hide their grief. Park Joong-hoon, who worked with him on <Two Cops> (1998), <Injeongsajeong Bol Geot Eopda> (1999), and <Radio Star>, said, “It was a blessing to make movies with my senior, and I am truly grateful that, as an actor, I received such good influence from a person of that character,” shedding tears as he added, “He always wore a warm, kind smile, so it doesn’t feel real.”

Singer Cho Yong-pil, a Kyungdong Middle School classmate and a bosom friend of over 60 years, said, “He was a truly good friend. He had a good personality, and we used to walk home together,” adding, “I want to tell him to go well and rest in peace. Seong-gi, let’s meet again.” Director Im Kwon-taek and actors Park Sang-won and Shin Hyun-joon were among the mourners who came to pay their respects. Director Im said, “He was a good person and, as an actor, someone truly faithful to his work. It’s not easy to live that way,” adding, “I feel very, very sad. I thought, ‘I will be following soon, too.’”

Figures from politics and religion also expressed condolences. President Lee Jae-myung said on social media, “I pay tribute to the life of (Ahn Sung-ki), who showed humility over splendor and dignity over competition.” Archbishop Jeong Sun-taek, head of the Catholic Archdiocese of Seoul, commemorated him, saying, “The sincere images in his works will remain in many people’s hearts beyond generations and eras, becoming a bright light for our society.”