A funeral mass and industry memorial for the late screen legend Ahn Sung-ki will be held at Myeongdong Cathedral in Seoul on Jan. 9.
According to the film community, the funeral mass will begin at 8 a.m. at the historic cathedral in central Seoul, followed by a memorial service for colleagues at 9 a.m.
Director Bae Chang-ho, serving as co-chair of the funeral committee, and actor Jung Woo-sung, Ahn’s agency junior, will lead tributes, with Jung delivering the official eulogy. Ahn’s eldest son, Ahn Dabin, will speak on behalf of the family, followed by a floral tribute.
Pallbearers will include industry powerhouses Lee Jung-jae, Jung Woo-sung, Lee Byung-hun and Park Chul-min. Cremation will take place at Seoul Memorial Park, with the interment at Byeolgeurida Memorial Park in Yangpyeong.
Ahn’s funeral is being held as a five-day, industry-led service organized by the Shin Young-kyun Arts and Culture Foundation and the Korea Film Actors Association. Honorary chair is veteran actor Shin Young-kyun, with co-chairs including director Bae Chang-ho, Lee Gap-seong of the Korea Film Actors Association, Shin Eon-sik, acting head of the Shin Young-kyun Arts and Culture Foundation, and Yang Yoon-ho of the Korea Film Council.
A towering figure who worked for 69 years and appeared in more than 170 films, Ahn passed away on Jan. 5 at 9 a.m. He was 74. He was diagnosed with a blood cancer in 2019 and declared in remission the following year, but the illness later recurred. The wake is at Seoul St. Mary’s Hospital, with the procession set for 6 a.m. on Jan. 9.
(SBS Entertainment News)