Korean cinema legend Ahn Sung-ki has died at 74, days after collapsing at home on December 30 due to choking on food. He passed away on Monday morning surrounded by family at a Seoul hospital, where he had been in intensive care. Diagnosed with blood cancer in 2019, the 'Nation's Actor' appeared in over 140 films across six decades.
Following his hospitalization in critical condition after choking on food at home on December 30, 2025—as previously reported—Ahn Sung-ki passed away on Monday morning, January 4/5, 2026, at a Seoul hospital surrounded by family.
Born in 1952, Ahn debuted as a child actor in 1957's 'The Twilight Train' and starred in around 140 films, earning the nickname 'Nation's Actor' for hits spanning genres, including 'Chilsu and Mansu' (1988), 'Two Cops' (1993), 'Silmido' (2003)—the first Korean film over 10 million admissions—'Radio Star' (2006), 'Unbowed' (2011), 'Hansan: Rising Dragon' (2022), and his final appearance in 'Noryang: Deadly Sea' (2023).
Ahn amassed over 40 acting awards, including multiple Best Actor wins at the Baeksang Arts Awards (e.g., 1982 for 'Mandala'), Daejong Film Awards, and Blue Dragon Film Awards (shared 2006 for 'Radio Star'). He received the Eungwan Order of Cultural Merit in 2013 and joined the National Academy of Arts in 2024. He also championed Korean cinema through roles in festivals like Busan International Film Festival and DMZ International Documentary Film Festival.
Despite blood cancer diagnosis in 2019, remission in 2020, and recurrence, Ahn remained active, attending the 2023 Bucheon International Fantastic Film Festival. In interviews, he expressed devotion to acting as his 'fate' and optimism for recovery.
A UNICEF Korea special representative since 1992 and goodwill ambassador from 1993, Ahn is survived by his wife and two sons.
