Veteran actor Ahn Sung-ki is in critical condition in an intensive care unit after collapsing at home while choking on food around 4 p.m. on Tuesday. His agency, Artist Company, stated that he was hospitalized due to a sudden deterioration in health and is under medical care. The 73-year-old actor has been battling blood cancer since 2019.
Ahn Sung-ki, a 73-year-old veteran actor, was rushed to the emergency room around 4 p.m. on Tuesday, December 30, 2025, after collapsing at home while choking on food. He was subsequently admitted to an intensive care unit (ICU) and remains in critical condition, with his exact status and prognosis being evaluated by medical staff.
His agency, Artist Company, issued a statement on Wednesday saying, "Following a sudden deterioration in his health, the actor has been admitted to the hospital and is under the care of medical staff." It added, "We hope the stability of the actor and his family will be the top priority at this time."
Ahn revealed in a 2022 interview that he had been battling blood cancer since 2019.
Known as the "Nation's Actor" for his contributions to Korean cinema, Ahn debuted as a child actor in 1957's "The Twilight Train" and has appeared in approximately 140 films over six decades. He gained widespread recognition for roles in films such as "Silmido" (2003), "Hanbando" (2006), "Unbowed" (2011), and "Hansan: Rising Dragon" (2022). He has won Best Actor awards multiple times at prestigious events like the Baeksang Arts Awards and the Blue Dragon Film Awards.
Beyond acting, Ahn has served as a representative for UNICEF since the early 1990s. Fans and the film industry are expressing hopes for his recovery.
