SEOUL – The South Korean film community and fans paid tribute to Ahn Sung-ki at Myeongdong Cathedral in Seoul on Jan 9, where a memorial service were held to honour the late veteran actor.

Acclaimed actors Jung Woo-sung and Lee Jung-jae led the procession, with Jung carrying Ahn’s portait and Lee holding the Geumgwan Order of Cultural Merit, the country’s highest cultural honour that was posthumously conferred on the actor.

Actors Sul Kyung-gu, Park Chul-min, Yoo Ji-tae, Jo Woo-jin, Park Hae-il and Ju Ji-hoon served as pallbearers.

Ahn died on Jan 5

Ahn had been hospitalised since Dec 30 after choking on a piece of food. It was revealed in 2022 that he had been treated for blood cancer since 2019.

At the memorial service, Da-bin, 38, read Ahn’s letter that was written to him in November 1993, when he was five years old, as a farewell note to all who had known and respected his father.

“Four days ago, I entered my father’s study to organise his belongings and found a letter he had written to me,” said Da-bin, representing the family. “It feels like a message left for all of us, so I will read it aloud.”

According to South Korean media The Chosun Daily, the heartfelt letter had Ahn asking Da-bin to “always be humble, honest, and have a generous heart that loves others”.

The late actor advised his eldest son to “do your best in everything, keep time strictly, and learn to manage failure and sorrow with inner peace”. He also reminded his son to never lose himself, no matter how difficult the situation.

Jung, 52, also delivered an eulogy, sharing fo...