"A very big star has set." Late Director Ahn Pan-seok passes away; actors to the general public weep [Comprehensive]

*This content was translated by AI.

With the passing of Director Ahn Pan-seok, many expressed their sorrow over losing a "master of the drama world."

The side of 'Yeon Ae (Dr.)' announced on the 12th through an official statement: "We are deeply saddened to share this news. Director Ahn Pan-seok passed away on August 12, 2026."

It further stated: "In accordance with the wishes of the bereaved family, we are conveying the news of his passing. To allow the grieving family time to quietly say their final goodbyes with the deceased, we request your kind cooperation in keeping funeral procedures confidential from the press. Once again, we offer our deepest condolences on the late director's journey and respectfully pray for his eternal peace."

Director Ahn, who had been battling brain hemorrhage after being diagnosed with lung cancer last year, passed away in the afternoon of this day as his condition worsened. The director was hospitalized last month following a collapse due to brain hemorrhage. At that time, the director's side stated, "He is currently recovering."

Upon hearing the news, many acquaintances and members of the public mourned Director Ahn. Baek Ji-yeon, former announcer and an entry-level colleague with Director Ahn at MBC in 1987, posted a tribute on her account that day: "I pray for the late director's eternal peace. Rest in peace. He was a wonderful director and a truly good friend."

Actor Cha Seung-won, who starred alongside Director Ahn in his first and final film "South of the Border," as well as in the dramas "Shy Lover" and "Roses and Bean Sprouts," told Daily Sports over the phone: "The director did not have a conventional gaze when looking at actors. He was a director who always made actors move like living beings."

He also recalled, "He observed people very meticulously and never settled, constantly challenging himself regardless of genre."

Kim Myung-min, an actor for whom Director Ahn's representative work "White Tower" is his life's work, also told the same media outlet: "He listened carefully to actors' words, respected their expressions, and acknowledged them to such a degree that he was truly admirable."

In addition, members of the public expressed their sorrow with comments such as "We respectfully pray for the late director's eternal peace," "I really enjoyed all of the director's works. Thank you," "A very big star has set," and "So many great works I loved."

Director Ahn directed several hit dramas including "White Tower," "The Qualities of a Wife," "Secret Love Affair," "I Heard It Through the Grapevine," "Pretty Nuna Who Buys Me Dinner," "Spring Night," and "The Art of Negotiation."

The late director's final work is ENA's new drama 'Yeon Ae (Dr.)', starring actor Choi Young-woo and Kim So-hyun, scheduled for release in October.

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*This content was translated by AI.