Acting couple Lee Byung Hun and Lee Min Jung expressed their condolences in different but equally heartfelt ways as they paid their last respects to the late legendary actor Ahn Sung Ki.
The late Ahn Sung Ki died on January 5 at the age of 74. His funeral was held as a film industry funeral, jointly organized by the Shin Young Kyun Arts and Culture Foundation and the Korea Film Actors Association. The five-day funeral service will conclude with a burial ceremony scheduled for 6 a.m. on Jan. 9, with his final resting place at Yangpyeong’s Byeolgeurida Cemetery.
Veteran actor Shin Young Kyun served as honorary chairman of the funeral committee, while industry leaders including Lee Gap Sung, director Bae Chang Ho, Shin Eon Sik and Yang Yun Ho took on key roles in the organization highlighting Ahn Sung Ki’s impressive legacy in Korean cinema.
Many prominent actors attended the funeral to honor the late icon. Lee Byung Hun, along with Lee Jung Jae, Jung Woo Sung, and Park Cheol Min, participated as pallbearers, personally escorting Ahn Sung Ki on his final journey.
Lee Byung Hun shared a particularly meaningful bond with the late actor. The two worked together on the animated film My beautiful girlfriend, Mari in 2002 and subsequently made history in 2012 as the first Asian actor to take part in a handprint ceremony at the TCL Chinese Theater in Hollywood, an event that symbolized the global rise of Korean cinema.
Lee Min Jung also expressed his pain in a subtle but powerful way. On January 6, he attended the 2026 First Brand Awards at the Shilla Hotel in Seoul, where he received an award in the celebrity YouTuber category.
When asked to pose with the heart gesture on stage, Lee Min Jung politely declined, saying: “Not today…” a moment widely interpreted as his way of honoring the passing of Ahn Sung Ki. The ceremony itself took place in a subdued and respectful atmosphere.
After completing her program, Lee Min Jung went straight to the funeral hall to pay her respects.
Later that day, Lee Min Jung shared a heartfelt message on his personal social media account: “I had just returned from paying my respects when suddenly this photo appeared. I was surprised. Such a loving, wonderful teacher. I will always remember you.”
The accompanying photo showed her smiling alongside Ahn Sung Ki during his lifetime. The image, which captured the actor following his battle with blood cancer, added to the emotional weight of his tribute.
Although expressed in different ways, one carrying the coffin, the other rejecting celebratory gestures, Lee Byung Hun and Lee Min Jung’s actions reflected a shared reverence for Ahn Sung Ki. Their gestures had a profound resonance with the audience, symbolizing the dignity, gratitude and respect owed to one of the most beloved figures in Korean cinema.
Sources: Nate News
