- Ahn Sung-ki and his wife hosted year-end hotel dinners for staff at their Hannam The Hill apartment.
- Invitations included subcontracted workers such as cleaners and landscapers, not just administrative staff.
- The couple personally greeted each guest; Ahn wore a suit and his wife a hanbok.
- Online posts praised Ahn’s humility and generosity as fans reflected on his legacy.
What happened
Heartwarming accounts of the late actor Ahn Sung-ki’s private kindness have surfaced after his passing. According to a post on an online film forum and a report in the Hankook Ilbo (via The Korea Times) published Jan. 8, 2026, Ahn and his wife regularly invited staff who worked at their apartment complex to an annual year-end dinner at the Hilton Hotel.
The dinners were not limited to office administrators. The invitations extended to on-site workers employed by partner companies — landscaping, cleaning and other subcontracted crews who maintain the Hannam The Hill complex in Yongsan District, Seoul.
Personal attention and respect
What impressed many who shared the story was the couple’s personal attention. The post described Ahn wearing a suit while his wife wore a hanbok, and both standing at the entrance of the banquet hall to greet every attendee by name. They reportedly thanked each person for their work and even took photos with them.
Those small gestures — dressing up for the event and acknowledging each worker in person — struck readers as sincere expressions of gratitude rather than a formal obligation.
Online response and reflection
The story quickly spread across online film communities and social media, drawing praise for Ahn’s humility. Comments highlighted that including subcontracted workers in a hotel banquet is rare and meaningful: “No matter how wealthy you are, it’s not easy to give to others,” one respondent wrote. Others said the account matched the warm public image Ahn cultivated throughout his long career.
Several posts also noted that some staff had observed Ahn looked thinner in recent years, expressing concern for his health. The revelations prompted renewed reflection on the actor’s private life as fans mourned his passing.
Legacy beyond the screen
Ahn Sung-ki was widely respected as one of South Korea’s most accomplished actors. These personal stories have added a new dimension to his public memory, showing a side of his character that many say aligned with the dignified and modest roles he often portrayed.
While public tributes and memorials continue, the tales of quiet generosity offer a lasting, humanizing snapshot of the actor’s life: someone who used his means to thank people who work behind the scenes.
(Note: The original account appeared in Hankook Ilbo and was translated and republished by The Korea Times.)
Image Referance: https://www.koreatimes.co.kr/lifestyle/people-events/20260108/late-actor-ahn-sung-ki-remembered-for-quiet-generosity-toward-apartment-staff
