Late 'National Actor' Ahn Sung-ki Posthumously Awarded South Korea’s Highest Cultural Honor

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The South Korean government has posthumously awarded the late Ahn Sung-ki the Gold Crown Order of Cultural Merit, the nation’s highest distinction for contributions to arts and culture.

Minister of Culture, Sports and Tourism Choi Hwi-young visited the funeral hall at Seoul St. Mary's Hospital on the 5th to deliver the prestigious medal to the bereaved family.

The Order of Cultural Merit is bestowed upon individuals who have demonstrated exceptional service in the development of culture and the arts. The Gold Crown (1st Class) is the most elevated rank within this honor. Ahn becomes only the fifth actor in Korean history to receive this award, joining the ranks of distinguished figures such as Youn Yuh-jung, Lee Jung-jae, Lee Soon-jae, and Kim Ji-mee.

The Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism praised the late actor, stating, "Ahn Sung-ki was a 'National Actor' who lived his life alongside the history of Korean cinema, delivering performances that resonated across generations." The Ministry further noted that he was a symbolic figure of the industry's explosive popularity and structural growth during the 1990s and 2000s.
A Legacy Spanning Seven Decades

Ahn Sung-ki’s legendary career began as a child actor in the 1957 film Twilight Train. Over the next seven decades, he starred in more than 170 films, including seminal works such as A Good Windy Day, Whale Hunting, and Unbowed.

He famously earned the title of South Korea’s first "ten-million-viewer actor" when his 2003 film Silmido drew 11.08 million theatergoers, a record that remains the 22nd highest-grossing film in Korean box office history.
Commitment to Society and Final Farewell

Beyond the screen, Ahn was deeply committed to humanitarian efforts. He served as a UNICEF Korea Goodwill Ambassador since 1993 and led various initiatives to support independent and short-film productions.

His lifelong dedication to society was previously recognized with the Precious Crown (3rd Class) in 2005 and the Silver Crown (2nd Class) in 2013, making the Gold Crown his third state honor.

Ahn had been battling blood cancer since his diagnosis in 2019. Although he was declared in remission in 2020, the illness recently relapsed. He passed away late last month, six days after collapsing at his home.

The funeral procession for Ahn Sung-ki will take place at 6:00 AM on January 9th. He will be laid to rest at Byeol-geurida in Yangpyeong, Gyeonggi Province.