Park Joong Hoon has opened up about veteran star Ahn Sung Ki’s health struggles.
During a press conference for his new essay collection Don’t Regret held on November 4th at the Jeongdong 1928 Art Center in Seoul, Park was asked if he had spoken with Ahn about the book’s release. “I’ll be honest—there’s no hiding it anymore,” he said. “His health is in very poor condition.”
He added, “It’s been over a year since I last saw him. He’s not in a state where we can talk or text directly, so I’ve been checking in through his family. I try to sound calm when I talk about it, but it breaks my heart.”
Calling Ahn “a respected mentor, senior, dear friend, and even a father figure,” Park reflected on their forty-year bond and the four films they made together. “He’s someone I deeply admire, both as an actor and as a person,” Park said. “It saddens me that he might not be in a condition to fully take in my book.”
Ahn Sung Ki was first diagnosed with blood cancer in 2019 and declared cancer-free the following year after treatment. However, the illness returned during follow-up care, and he has since resumed treatment.
In 2022, fans grew concerned after he appeared with a swollen face and difficulty walking, but by 2023 he looked noticeably recovered while attending several events, including the 4.19 Democratic Peace Award, the Bucheon International Fantastic Film Festival, and the Golden Cinematography Awards.
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