Ahn Sung Ki Passes Away, UNICEF Remembers Him as a Pillar of Hope for Children Around the World

Ahn Sung Ki (Doc. Ist)

SecondUpdate.com – The passing of legendary South Korean actor Ahn Sung Ki has left deep sorrow, not only in the film industry but also within the international humanitarian community.

The United Nations–affiliated organization UNICEF also expressed its condolences over the loss of the figure who once served as one of its ambassadors in the 1990s.

Through its official South Korea UNICEF account, the organization shared old photographs of Ahn Sung Ki from his younger years when he was actively involved in humanitarian missions.

In its post, UNICEF conveyed its gratitude and paid tribute to the actor’s dedication in supporting its cause.

UNICEF further described Ahn Sung Ki as a special figure who played a major role, both in the arts and in efforts to protect the rights and well-being of children around the world.

He was hailed as a “national actor,” known for his warm smile, as well as a “pillar of hope” for many children.

For more than four decades, Ahn Sung Ki was regarded as consistently demonstrating compassion and care for children, in line with the values upheld by UNICEF.

The organization also remembered him as a role model who successfully balanced a brilliant acting career with genuine social concern.

Previously, the sad news was announced by Ahn Sung Ki’s agency, Artist Company, on Monday morning, January 5, 2026. In its official statement, the agency said that Ahn Sung Ki passed away at 9:00 a.m. local time at the age of 74.

The agency remembered the late actor as a person with extraordinary dedication to his profession, who had carved out a long and influential legacy in South Korean popular culture.

Throughout his life, Ahn Sung Ki was known as an actor who worked with sincerity and a strong sense of responsibility.

Prior to his death, Ahn Sung Ki was reported to have been hospitalized since late December 2025. He was rushed to the hospital after choking on food and losing consciousness at his residence.

His condition later worsened, requiring intensive treatment. According to Korean media reports, Ahn Sung Ki suffered cardiac arrest and received emergency measures before being transferred to the intensive care unit.

He ultimately passed away at Soonchunhyang University Hospital in Yongsan District, Seoul, with his family by his side.

Ahn Sung Ki was one of the most influential actors in the history of South Korean cinema. He began his career at a very young age as a child actor in the film Twilight Train in 1957.

Throughout his career, he appeared in around 140 films, including major titles such as Silmido, Hanbando, Unbowed, and Hansan: Rising Dragon.

His achievements were recognized through numerous prestigious awards, including the Baeksang Arts Awards and the Blue Dragon Film Awards.

Behind his remarkable career, Ahn Sung Ki also endured a long battle with blood cancer, which was first diagnosed in 2019. Although he was once declared in remission, the illness later returned.

Nevertheless, his spirit never faded. He continued to attend various film-related events, including the opening of an international film festival in 2023.

The passing of Ahn Sung Ki leaves behind a profound legacy, not only as a top-tier actor but also as an inspiring humanitarian figure.

The worlds of cinema and humanitarian work have now lost a role model who dedicated his life to art and to humanity.