The late actor Ahn Sung-ki greets on the red carpet at the 7th Korea Film Awards held at the Sejong Center for the Performing Arts in Gwanghwamun, Seoul, in 2008. Photo Yonhap News

On the 5th, director Bae Chang-ho, who made 13 films with the late actor Ahn Sung-kithe most of any collaboratorpaid tribute to him.

In a phone interview with “Sports Kyunghyang” on the afternoon of the 5th, Bae looked back on Ahn Sung-ki, who passed away that morning, and shared reflections shaped by the many works they made together.

He appeared in 13 of director Bae’s films: the 1982 film “People of the Shantytown”; the 1983 films “Ironmen” and “Flower of the Equator”; the 1984 films “Whale Hunting” and “That Winter Was Warm”; the 1985 films “Deep Blue Night” and “Whale Hunting 2”; the 1986 film “Hwang Jin-yi”; the 1987 films “Hello, God” and “Our Joyful Young Days”; the 1990 film “Dream”; the 1991 film “Stairway to Heaven”; and the 2001 film “Heuksuseon.”

Director Bae Chang-ho, who made 13 films with the late Ahn Sung-ki. Photo Sports Kyunghyang DB

Bae effectively monopolized the films of the 1980s, near the late actor’s prime, and before the actor took on more mainstream projects, he assembled a slate that emphasized realism and social themes. Of the roughly 130 films in the late actor’s career, Bae shared the largest portion.

Bae said in the call, “I had already heard about his illness, but I am heartbroken. There was much left to do, and it is a pity that he has left us so soon,” adding, “He has left behind many truly gem-like works. Those who loved Ahn Sung-ki will likely take this opportunity to revisit his films.”

On the driving force behind working together on as many as 13 films, he said, “We had similar views on cinema, and we were of similar age. We have been colleagues, and at times like friends,” adding, “Ahn Sung-ki has eyes that radiate goodness. In addition, in close-up there is a face filled with melancholy and solitude. From that, you can feel a love for humanity.”

Bae said, “Of course he also played villains, but there was compassion. He loved cinema and felt at ease on set. He had a wealth of experience since childhood, and I received a lot of help from him,” adding, “I think his consistently good image came from his ability to manage himself. He was diligent and prudent, and in his character I never once saw him raise his voice at others. The burden of being a ‘national actor’ must have been heavy, yet he bore it.”

Poster for the 1987 film “Hello, God,” directed by Bae Chang-ho and starring Ahn Sung-ki. Photo Donga Export Co.

If he had to choose just one among the works they made together, Bae picked the 1987 film “Hello, God.” He said, “It was a role of a person with a physical disability. At the time, there were no characters who had been disabled since childhood. I think he may have been the first to take on that role,” adding, “Works like ‘Whale Hunting’ are famous, but because this was not often brought up, it remains even more vivid in my memory.”

As co-chair of the funeral committee, Bae said, “Classmates such as Cho Yong-pil and seniors and juniors including Jung Woo-sung and Lee Jung-jae are arriving one after another at the memorial altar. Ordinary film fans are also coming to pay their respects.”

Ahn Sung-ki’s memorial altar has been set up in Room 31 of the funeral hall at Seoul St. Mary’s Hospital; the send-off is at 6 a.m. on the 9th, and the burial site is Byeolgeurida in Yangpyeong, Gyeonggi Province.