Legendary 'National Actor' Ahn Sung Ki passes away at 74 after cancer battle

The curtain has fallen for the face of Korean cinema. Ahn Sung Ki, the beloved veteran actor often called the 'National Actor' of South Korea, passed away on the morning of January 5, 2026. According to his agency, Artist Company, the actor departed at around 9 a.m. KST at the age of 74.

Actor Ahn Sung Ki death 2026: A long-standing fight against blood cancer

Ahn was diagnosed with blood cancer in 2019 and had been undergoing treatment for several years. Despite his declining health, he occasionally appeared at public events, showing his unwavering love for the film industry. His quiet strength during his battle with the illness earned him even deeper respect from the public and his peers.

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The legacy of a cinema pioneer

With a career spanning over 60 years, Ahn Sung Ki was more than just a performer; he was the moral compass of the Korean film world. From his beginnings as a child actor to becoming the most respected figure in the industry, he paved the way for the global success that K-movies enjoy today.