Director Ahn Pan-seok passes away, leaving behind a melo masterpiece created with Jung Hae-in and Yoo Ah-in... K-drama news [Star Issue]

*This content was translated by AI.

K-drama 'Melo Master' Director Ahn Pan-seok has suddenly passed away.

According to a source on the 12th, Director Ahn Pan-seok was diagnosed with lung cancer last year and underwent treatment. Recently, he collapsed due to a brain hemorrhage. Although he regained consciousness and continued rehabilitation therapy, he ultimately left those he loved behind today at the age of 65.

Director Ahn Pan-seok is a legendary figure among domestic and international drama fans thanks to his significant body of work. Since joining MBC in 1987, he directed notable dramas such as 'Match', 'Roses and Bean Sprouts', and 'Ajumma'. In 2007, he won the Directing Award at the 43rd Baeksang Arts Awards for 'White Tower'.

He later moved to JTBC, creating works like 'The Qualities of a Wife', 'End of the World', and 'Secret Love Affair'. He solidified his title as the 'Melo Master' by sequentially directing 'My Lovely Liar', 'Spring Night', and 'Graduation'. Most recently, he offered unique entertainment with 'The Negotiation'.

Actors who worked under Director Ahn Pan-seok received great love from viewers through their deep melo emotional arcs. The leads include Yoo Ah-in, Kim Hee-ae, Son Ye-jin, Jung Hae-in, Han Jimin, Jung Ryeo-won, and Wi Ha-jun.

In an interview conducted after finishing 'My Lovely Liar' in 2018, Son Ye-jin praised the director, saying, "The atmosphere on set is determined by each individual. In 'My Lovely Liar', the most important director made the set happy. Filming dramas has always been difficult, and others are likely still filming with difficulty today, but the set of 'My Lovely Liar' was precious."

Jung Ryeo-won of 'Graduation' also expressed high praise for Director Ahn Pan-seok at a wrap-up interview: "'Graduation' is a work we met by fate. Last March, I wrote down the names of directors and writers I wanted to work with in my diary, including Director Ahn Pan-seok's name. When I heard it was a melo directed by him starting in September, I agreed without even reading the script. It is a life-defining work in many ways—a work that helped me graduate from my anxieties."

The late director's final work will be 'Yeon Ae (Dr.)', starring Cho Young-woo and Kim So-hyun, scheduled for release in October. The production team of 'Yeon Ae (Dr.)' released an official statement on the 12th: "We are deeply saddened to share this heartbreaking news. Director Ahn Pan-seok passed away on August 12, 2026. Once again, we offer our deepest condolences as he departs and pray for his eternal peace."

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*This content was translated by AI.