Korea's beloved actors leave behind generations of viewers

The deaths of Choi Bool-am, Lee Soon-jae and Ahn Sung-ki within less than a year have left audiences mourning three actors who shaped Korean popular culture across generations. Choi, who died at 87, became a familiar father figure through long-running television dramas and a food documentary. Lee, who died at 91, worked across theater, television and film for nearly seven decades, while Ahn, who died at 74, appeared in more than 170 films. Their characters and performances remain part of viewers’ memories.

Choi played Chief Inspector Park Young-han in MBC’s Chief Inspector, which ran from 1971 to 1989, and Kim, the head of a farming family, in Country Diaries, which ran from 1980 to 2002.

Choi hosted KBS’ Korean Cuisine and Dining for 14 years from 2011, traveling around the country to introduce regional food and local stories before stepping down after surgery.

Lee began acting in the 1956 stage production Beyond the Horizon and won the grand prize at the 2024 KBS Drama Awards for Dog Knows Everything, becoming the oldest recipient of the broadcaster’s top acting honor.

Ahn made his acting debut as a child in the 1957 film Twilight Train and appeared in films including Mandala, Whale Hunting, Two Cops, The Taebaek Mountains, Nowhere to Hide and Silmido.

Published Nov 2, 2026 3:31 pm KST

Updated Nov 2, 2026 3:56 pm KST

A funeral mass for late actor Choi Bool-am is held at Yeouido Catholic Church in Seoul, Monday. Join Press Corps

Korea’s most beloved veteran actors are leaving behind a deep sense of loss among audiences who grew up watching them on television and in movie theaters.

The deaths of Lee Soon-jae, Ahn Sung-ki and Choi Bool-am within less than a year have marked the loss of three towering figures who helped shape Korea’s popular culture for decades. Each made a different contribution to the entertainment industry, but all became household names whose presence extended far beyond their performances.

In Korea, they are often called “the nation’s favorite actors,” a term reserved for performers who have earned the affection and respect of generations of audiences. Their popularity went beyond fame. Through the characters they portrayed and the stories they brought into Korean homes, they became familiar companions in the everyday lives of millions.

Cardinal Andrew Yeom Soo-jung, center, presides over the funeral mass for late actor Choi Bool-am at Yeouido Catholic Church in Seoul, Monday. Join Press Corps

Choi Bool-am: Father figure for many Koreans

Choi, widely remembered as Korea’s ideal on-screen father, died at a hospital in western Seoul on Oct. 29. He was 87.

For generations of viewers, Choi was more than an actor playing a father. He came to embody the image of a dependable, warm-hearted father figure through two of Korea’s most enduring television dramas.

He first gained widespread recognition as Chief Inspector Park Young-han in MBC’s long-running crime series “Chief Inspector” (1971-1989). His portrayal of an upright detective who pursued justice while showing compassion for ordinary people made him a familiar presence in Korean households.

He later became even more closely associated with the role of a father through another MBC TV show, “Country Diaries” (1980-2002), in which he played Kim, the respected head of a farming family in a rural village. The series ran for 22 years, making Choi’s character part of the lives of viewers who watched the show grow alongside their own families.

His image as a father figure extended beyond television dramas. From 2011, he hosted KBS’ food documentary “Korean Cuisine and Dining” for 14 years, traveling around the country to introduce regional food and the stories of the people there. Through the program, he brought the lives, traditions and memories of ordinary Koreans to viewers with his gentle voice.

Choi stepped down from the program after undergoing surgery last year. He had continued rehabilitation, but his health deteriorated in recent months.

Late actor Lee Soon-jae / Korea Times photo by Wang Tae-seok

Lee Soon-jae: Lifetime devotion to acting

Before Choi, veteran actor Lee Soon-jae died on Nov. 25, 2025, at the age of 91, following a career spanning nearly seven decades.

Lee began his acting career with the 1956 stage production “Beyond the Horizon” and went on to work across theater, television and film. He was known for his commanding performances in dramas such as “What on Earth is Love” (1991-1992) and his role in the hit sitcom “High Kick!” (2006-2007).

His appeal, however, was never limited to one generation. While older viewers remembered him for his serious roles in historical dramas and family series, younger audiences came to know a more humorous side of him through sitcoms, where he displayed a willingness to poke fun at his own image.

Lee remained committed to acting well into his 80s, taking on demanding theater roles, including the title role in Shakespeare’s “King Lear.” In 2024, he won the grand prize at the KBS Drama Awards for his performance in the series “Dog Knows Everything,” becoming the oldest recipient of the broadcaster’s top acting honor.

A special exhibition honoring late actor Ahn Sung-ki is held at Museum1 in Busan, Oct. 14. Yonhap

Ahn Sung-ki: Life shaped by Korean cinema

Ahn Sung-ki, one of the most respected figures in Korean cinema, died on Jan. 5, at the age of 74.

Ahn made his acting debut as a child in the 1957 film “Twilight Train” and went on to appear in more than 170 films over a career spanning nearly seven decades. His filmography includes some of the most significant works in Korean cinema, such as “Mandala” (1981), “Whale Hunting” (1984), “Two Cops” (1993), “The Taebaek Mountains” (1994), “Nowhere to Hide” (1999) and “Silmido” (2003).

While Lee represented the enduring vitality of Korean theater and television, Ahn's career closely mirrored the development of the country's film industry. He worked with leading directors and actors across different generations, taking on a wide range of roles as Korean cinema evolved in style, scale and international recognition.

The three actors had different careers, but they all built a strong connection with the public over many years.

Choi became a familiar father figure to generations of viewers, who found warmth and comfort in his performances. Ahn witnessed and contributed to the growth of Korean cinema through his many films, while Lee showed that a passion for acting can last a lifetime.

Their deaths mark the end of an era that shaped modern Korean entertainment, but the characters they brought to life will remain in the memories of audiences who grew up watching them.

Actor Lee Soon-jae, loved by all ages, dies at 91

Korean screen legend Ahn Sung-ki dies at 74

崔佛岩、李顺载和安圣基在不到一年的时间内相继离世，令观众们悲痛不已，他们三人塑造了韩国几代人的流行文化。享年87岁的崔佛岩凭借长寿电视剧和美食纪录片，成为深受观众喜爱的父亲形象。享年91岁的李顺载在戏剧、电视和电影领域耕耘近七十年，而享年74岁的安圣基则出演了超过170部电影。他们塑造的角色和精彩的表演，至今仍深深地印刻在观众的记忆中。

崔在1971年至1989年播出的MBC电视剧《督察》中饰演督察朴英汉，在1980年至2002年播出的电视剧《乡村日记》中饰演农户户主金。

崔某从 2011 年起主持了 KBS 的《韩国料理与餐饮》节目长达 14 年，走遍韩国各地介绍地方美食和当地故事，之后因手术而卸任。

李敏镐于 1956 年出演舞台剧《地平线之外》，并凭借《狗知道一切》获得 2024 年 KBS 演技大赏大奖，成为该电视台最高演技荣誉最年长的获得者。

安以童星身份在 1957 年的电影《暮色列车》中首次亮相，之后出演了《曼荼罗》、《捕鲸》、《两个警察》、《太白山》、《无处可藏》和《实尾岛》等电影。

发布于2026年11月2日下午3:31（韩国标准时间）

更新于2026年11月2日下午3:56（韩国标准时间）

周一，已故演员崔佛岩的葬礼弥撒在首尔汝矣岛天主教堂举行。记者随行报道。

韩国最受爱戴的老演员们的离世，让看着他们在电视和电影院长大的观众们深感惋惜。

李顺载、安圣基和崔佛岩在不到一年的时间内相继离世，标志着韩国流行文化三位巨擘的陨落。他们数十年来为韩国流行文化的发展做出了卓越贡献。他们各自对娱乐产业做出了不同的贡献，但都成为了家喻户晓的人物，其影响力远远超越了他们的表演本身。

在韩国，他们常被誉为“国民最爱的演员”，这个称号专指那些赢得了几代观众喜爱和尊敬的表演者。他们的受欢迎程度远不止于名气。通过他们塑造的角色和带入韩国千家万户的故事，他们成为了数百万韩国人日常生活中熟悉的伙伴。

周一，在首尔汝矣岛天主教堂，安德鲁·廉秀贞枢机主教（图中）主持了已故演员崔佛岩的葬礼弥撒。记者随行报道。

崔佛岩：许多韩国人心目中的父亲形象

被誉为韩国荧幕上理想父亲的崔胜弘于10月29日在首尔西部一家医院去世，享年87岁。

对于几代观众来说，崔胜弘不仅仅是一位扮演父亲的演员。他通过两部韩国最经久不衰的电视剧，成为了可靠、慈爱的父亲形象的化身。

他最初因在MBC长寿罪案剧《督察》（1971-1989）中饰演朴英汉督察而广为人知。他将一位正直的刑警形象演绎得既追求正义又富有同情心，使他成为韩国家喻户晓的人物。

后来，他通过另一部MBC电视剧《乡村日记》（1980-2002）与父亲这一角色更加紧密地联系在一起。在剧中，他饰演受人尊敬的农村一家之主金先生。该剧播出长达22年，崔志远饰演的角色融入了观众的生活，他们与自己的家庭一同成长。

他慈父般的形象远不止于电视剧。从2011年起，他主持了KBS电视台的美食纪录片《韩国料理与餐饮》，长达14年，走遍韩国各地，介绍地方美食和当地人民的故事。通过这档节目，他用温柔的声音，将普通韩国人的生活、传统和记忆带给了观众。

崔在去年接受手术后退出了该项目。他一直在进行康复治疗，但近几个月来健康状况恶化。

已故演员李顺载 / 韩国时报 王泰硕摄

李顺载：毕生致力于表演事业

在崔顺载之前，资深演员李顺载于 2025 年 11 月 25 日去世，享年 91 岁，他的演艺生涯跨越了近七十年。

李安的演艺生涯始于1956年的舞台剧《地平线之外》，之后他活跃于戏剧、电视和电影领域。他以在《爱究竟是什么》（1991-1992）等电视剧中的出色表演以及在热门情景喜剧《高踢》（2006-2007）中的角色而闻名。

然而，他的魅力从未局限于某一代人。老一辈观众记得他在历史剧和家庭剧中扮演的严肃角色，而年轻一代观众则通过情景喜剧了解了他幽默的一面，在剧中他展现了自嘲的一面。

李安一直活跃在演艺圈，直到 80 多岁高龄，仍然挑战各种高难度的舞台剧角色，包括莎士比亚戏剧《李尔王》中的主角。2024 年，他凭借电视剧《狗知道一切》获得 KBS 演技大赏最高奖，成为该电视台最高演技奖项最年长的获得者。

10月14日，为纪念已故演员安圣基，釜山Museum1博物馆举办了一场特别展览。（韩联社）

安圣基：韩国电影塑造的人生

韩国电影界最受尊敬的人物之一安圣基于1月5日去世，享年74岁。

安永于1957年以童星身份出演电影《暮色列车》，此后近七十年的演艺生涯中出演了170多部电影。他的作品包括韩国电影史上一些最重要的作品，例如《曼荼罗》（1981）、《捕鲸记》（1984）、《两个警察》（1993）、《太白山》（1994）、《无处可藏》（1999）和《实末岛》（2003）。

李安代表了韩国戏剧和电视经久不衰的活力，而安的职业生涯则与韩国电影产业的发展紧密相连。他与不同世代的顶尖导演和演员合作，在韩国电影风格、规模和国际认可度不断演变的过程中，扮演了各种各样的角色。

这三位演员的职业生涯各不相同，但多年来他们都与公众建立了牢固的联系。

崔泓轸成为几代观众心中熟悉的父亲形象，他的表演带给观众温暖和慰藉。安东健通过众多影片见证并推动了韩国电影的发展，而李连杰则证明了对表演的热情可以持续一生。

他们的离世标志着塑造现代韩国娱乐业的一个时代的结束，但他们塑造的角色将永远留在看着他们成长起来的观众的记忆中。

深受各年龄段观众喜爱的演员李顺载去世，享年91岁。

韩国影坛传奇人物安圣基逝世，享年74岁