Many Chinese netizens have taken to major social media platforms to mourn the passing of veteran South Korean actor Ahn Sung-ki, following confirmation of his death from his agency, Artist Company on Monday.

Many Chinese netizens have taken to major social media platforms to mourn the passing of veteran South Korean actor Ahn Sung-ki, following confirmation of his death from his agency, Artist Company on Monday.

Ahn passed away on January 5 at 74, according to the obituary released by the agency, which said it was "deeply saddened by the sudden news" and extended its sincere condolences to the bereaved family, wishing the late actor eternal peace.

The obituary described Ahn as an artist who "has been with the history of popular culture in Korea with a deep sense of mission and consistent dedication to acting." It noted that his performances were always rooted in people and life itself, and that through countless works, he delivered resonance and comfort to audiences across generations.

The cause of death has not yet been officially disclosed. Yonhap News Agency reported on December 31 that Ahn had choked while having lunch on December 30 and was rushed to hospital, where he was admitted to the intensive care unit in critical condition.

According to Yonhap News Agency, Ahn was previously diagnosed with lymphoma, a type of blood cancer, in 2019. However, reports said his illness later relapsed, and he had been continuing to battle the disease.

News of his death quickly trended on China's social media platform Weibo, prompting an outpouring of tributes from Chinese netizens. One fan wrote, "Ahn Sung-ki was a veteran pillar of Korean cinema who starred in so many classic works. It's truly unexpected and heartbreaking. Life is so fragile."

"A top-tier Korean screen legend—rest in peace," another netizen wrote.

Widely regarded as a national icon of South Korean cinema, Ahn made his screen debut as a child actor in the 1957 film Twilight Train and went on to appear in around 140 productions over a six-decade career. His representative works include Silmido and Good Windy Days. Ahn received over 40 major awards throughout his career, including multiple Grand Bell Awards, Blue Dragon Film Awards, and Baeksang Arts Awards. Internationally, he was recognized at festivals in Japan and France and became the first Korean actor to leave his handprints on the Hollywood Walk of Fame, making him one of the most decorated actors in Korean film history.

In 2006, he co-starred with Hong Kong actor Andy Lau in the historical epic A Battle of Wits. The film drew widespread attention upon its release in the Chinese mainland. In 2009, the China Film Archive hosted a special "Ahn Sung-ki film retrospective," screening several of his classic works, with Ahn personally attending the event to interact with audiences. Six years later, he attended the opening ceremony of the Silk Road Chinese Cinema in Seoul, where he publicly expressed hope to further enter the Chinese market and be better known by Chinese audiences.

Recalling Ahn Sung-ki's retrospective screenings, a Chinese netizen said the actor had also personally attended the opening ceremony of the Silk Road Chinese Cinema in 2016, describing him as "a long-standing ambassador of China-South Korea cultural exchange as the lead actor of A Battle of Wits," and wished him to "rest in peace in heaven."

Ahn's funeral will be held at Seoul St. Mary's Hospital Funeral Hall, Room 31, with the funeral service scheduled for 6 am on January 9, according to the obituary.