Tributes pour in for late actor Ahn Sung-ki on 2nd day of mourning

The Geumgwan (Gold Crown) Order of Cultural Merit, the highest grade of an order given to artists, is laid on the altar for late movie star Ahn Sung-ki, one of the country's most beloved actors, at St. Mary's Hospital, in Seoul, Monday. Joint Press Corps

Tributes continued to flow Tuesday for beloved movie star Ahn Sung-ki, a day after he died at age 74.

Actress Hwang Shin-hye wrote on social media that sharing the screen with the veteran actor was "one of the greatest honors" of her life.

"Thank you for being a pillar of Korean cinema for so many years," she said, recalling their work together in the 1987 film "Our Joyful Young Days."

Actress Song Sun-mi, who co-starred with Ahn in the 1998 romantic drama "Art Museum by the Zoo," posted photos from the film and said, "It was an honor to have worked with you."

Singer-actor Ok Taec-yeon, who appeared with Ahn in "Hansan: Rising Dragon" (2022), shared an old photo from a script reading session for the film, saying he remembered being nervous when first meeting the veteran actor. "Thank you for always greeting me with a kind smile on set," he wrote.

Singer and TV personality Lee Sang-min said Ahn's presence across decades of film and television would remain unforgettable. "You made me laugh and cry. May you rest in peace," he wrote on social media.

Singer Bada recalled Ahn's warmth, saying he often encouraged her with kind words at church and during fishing gatherings. "I could truly feel the deep warmth of a genuine adult," she wrote.

Other celebrities, including actresses Go Hyun-jung, Lee Young-ae and Uhm Ji-won, actor Jang Hyuk, and singer Hong Kyung-min, also shared condolences online, posting chrysanthemum photos and images of the late actor from his youth.

Mourners have continued to visit the funeral hall for Ahn at Seoul St. Mary's Hospital for a second day. The funeral service is scheduled for Friday.