Legendary South Korean Actor Ahn Sung-ki Passes Away at 74

Veteran Korean actor Ahn Sung-ki, known for films such as The Housemaid, A Fine, Windy Day and Mandala, among others, passed away at the age of 74. Sung-ki’s agency, Artist Company, announced the news of his death on January 5, 2026. He was admitted to the Soonchunhyang University Hospital, where he was receiving treatment after a prolonged illness. Ahn Sung-ki was considered one of the most respected actors of South Korea and appeared in over 13 films during a career spanning over six decades.

National actor Ahn sung ki funeral 🕊�😭�� pic.twitter.com/7kQFFrjW28

— yasmina (@minayas90) January 5, 2026

As per reports, he was first diagnosed with blood cancer in 2019 and was briefly declared cancer-free in 2020. However, the disease returned. The actor was hospitalised in December after suffering from a cardiac arrest.

About Ahn Sung-ki

Ahn Sung-ki was born on January 1, 1952, to Ahn Hwa-young, a film planner. He started working as a child actor at the age of six and appeared in the film Twilight Train in 1957. He was then seen in The Housemaid in 1960, following which he took a break from acting to concentrate on his studies. Sung-ki was always inclined towards theatre and resumed his acting career after his military discharge.

Some of his notable films as A Fine, Windy Day, Mandala, Two Cops, Silmido, Unbowed and more. The late actor also earned several accolades, including Baeksang Arts Awards, Blue Dragon Film Awards, Korean Association of Film Critics Awards and State honours such as Korean Culture and Arts Awards and Korean Popular Culture and Arts Awards. He is often referred to as the ‘Nation’s Actor’ in South Korea. Sung-ki married sculptor and university professor Oh Se-yeong in 1985, and they have two sons.