Veteran Korean Actor Ahn Sung-ki Dies at 74

Ahn Sung-ki, one of South Korean cinema’s most enduring and respected screen actors, whose six-decade career spanned more than 130 films and included landmark hits such as “Silmido” and “Radio Star,” has died at the age of 74.

His death was confirmed by his agency, Artist Company, and Seoul’s Soonchunhyang University Hospital.

Ahn had been battling blood cancer, according to the Associated Press.

Ahn entered the film industry as a child actor at age five, debuting in 1957’s “The Twilight Train.”

He went on to appear in roughly 70 films as a child before stepping away from acting during his teenage years, AP reported.

After studying Vietnamese at Hankuk University of Foreign Studies – where he graduated with top honors – Ahn initially struggled to re-establish himself in the industry.

He returned to acting in 1977, with his adult breakthrough coming in Lee Jang-ho’s “Good, Windy Days” (1980), a generational drama that earned him the Grand Bell Award for best new actor.

Over the decades that followed, Ahn became a central presence in modern Korean cinema, known for performances marked by restraint, authority and emotional clarity.

His filmography included roles in “Mandara,” “Whale Hunting,” “White Badge,” “Two Cops,” the blockbuster military drama “Silmido,” and the music-industry drama “Radio Star,” in which he played the devoted manager of an ageing singer.

Ahn won five Grand Bell Awards for best actor, a record, and was widely admired for a career defined by consistency and an absence of scandal.

His steady public image and long-term credibility earned him a level of trust rare in the industry, according to AP.

In a 2023 interview with AP, Ahn said the expectations placed on him motivated him to live and work in a way that justified the public’s respect.

He also said he avoided romantic scenes when he felt they were included only for effect, explaining that he was uncomfortable performing them without narrative necessity.

Beyond his screen work, Ahn played an active role in Korea’s film community, serving as chair of the Korean Film Actors Association and advocating for performers during periods of industry change.

He is survived by his wife, Oh So-yeong, and their two sons.