Members of the film community and fans paid tribute to the late actor Ahn Sung-ki at Myeongdong Cathedral in downtown Seoul on Friday, honoring his lifelong devotion to cinema and warm-hearted spirit through a memorial Mass and funeral service. The funeral procession was led by actor Jung Woo-sung carrying Ahn's portrait and Lee Jung-jae holding the Geumgwan Order of Cultural Merit, the country's highest cultural honor posthumously awarded on Monday.
A memorial Mass for the late actor Ahn Sung-ki was held at 8 a.m. on Friday, January 9, 2026, at Myeongdong Cathedral in Seoul. Archbishop Chung Soon-taick of Seoul presided over the Mass, followed by a funeral service with eulogies. In the funeral procession, actor Jung Woo-sung carried Ahn's portrait, while Lee Jung-jae held the Geumgwan Order of Cultural Merit, the nation's highest cultural honor posthumously awarded to the actor on Monday.
Pallbearers included fellow actors Sul Kyung-gu, Park Chul-min, Yoo Ji-tae, Jo Woo-jin, Park Hae-il, and Ju Ji-hoon. In his eulogy, Jung Woo-sung shared fond memories of Ahn's soft-spoken and warm demeanor during the five months of filming the 2001 film "The Warriors" in China. "Even under difficult filming conditions, he always made a point of calling the Korean and local staff, as well as fellow actors, by their names, and greeting us with a smile," he said. "The depth of his kindness was immeasurable."
"He was a truly beautiful person with the profound dignity of a human being who treated everyone with consistent understanding and love," Jung added. He described Ahn as "a man of great consideration who never wanted to be a burden, and of a modesty and restraint that kept him from putting himself first." Jung recalled how Ahn was "hard on himself," driven by the immense responsibility as a leading figure in Korean cinema. Despite those pressures, "He always maintained his composure," he said. "To me, he seemed like an iron man."
"Please rest in peace. With the deepest respect, You were a living saint to me. Thank you," Jung concluded, choking back tears.
Ahn died on Monday at a Seoul hospital at the age of 74. He had been treated in an intensive care unit after collapsing at home from choking. Debuting as a child actor in 1957, Ahn delivered versatile performances in more than 140 films, standing as a pillar of Korean cinema. He was cherished by audiences and directors alike for his exceptional acting and range. Beyond performing, Ahn dedicated himself to Korean filmmaking, serving as a core member of festivals like the Busan International Film Festival and the DMZ International Documentary Film Festival.
