On January 4, Ahn Da Bin posted a single photo on his personal social media account. The image showed a photo book from To the Starry Island, one of Ahn Sung Ki’s films in which he starred as the lead. No caption accompanied the post, yet the silence spoke volumes, conveying a deep sense of grief and remembrance that resonated with many.
The late actor had collapsed at his home on the afternoon of December 30, 2025 while eating, after food became lodged in his airway. He was transported to a nearby hospital in cardiac arrest and received CPR before being admitted to the ICU. Despite six days of intensive treatment, he ultimately did not recover.
His agency, Artist Company, released an official statement expressing sorrow over the sudden loss. “Before being an actor, Ahn Sung Ki was a person who valued dignity and responsibility above all else, and he showed unwavering respect to fellow artists, juniors, seniors, and everyone on set,” the statement read. “He was a true ‘national actor’ in every sense of the word. We mourn his passing deeply and extend our sincere condolences to his bereaved family.”
Ahn Sung Ki’s funeral will be held as a film industry funeral, organized by the Shin Young Kyun Arts & Culture Foundation and the Korea Film Actors Association. Fellow actors Lee Jung Jae and Jung Woo Sung are expected to serve as pallbearers, accompanying him on his final journey.
Born in 1957, Ahn Sung Ki made his acting debut in the film Twilight Train and went on to build an extraordinary career spanning decades. He became a symbol of Korean cinema through acclaimed works such as A Fine, Windy Day, A Dwarf Launches a Little Ball, Our Joyful Young Days, Two Cops, Nowhere to Hide, Radio Star, and May 18. His legacy as a “national actor” remains deeply etched in the hearts of audiences.
Sources: Daum