Lee Ho-won expressed his deep respect and tribute as he reminisced about working with the late Ahn Sung-ki.
Recently, at the Ten Asia headquarters in Jungnim-dong, Seoul, Lee Ho-won shared various stories after completing the 'Solo Leveling on ICE' performance.
Lee Ho-won had the opportunity to work with Ahn Sung-ki in the film 'Birth' (2022). 'Birth' follows the life of Korea's first priest, Father Kim Dae-gun, but it is not focused on propagating specific religious doctrines. The film portrays the values, choices, and responsibilities of individuals living in the turbulent times of late Joseon.
'Birth' is also Ahn Sung-ki's last film appearance, excluding his special appearance in 'Noryang: The Sea of Death,' released in January this year. 'Birth' was aired as a three-part drama titled 'Young Kim Dae-gun' on tvN during the Christmas season last December.
Lee Ho-won described working with Ahn Sung-ki as "an honor in itself." He admired Ahn's character, saying, "I thought I should become an adult like him."
On set, Ahn Sung-ki was not only a senior actor but also a life mentor. Lee Ho-won recalled, "Although I didn't see him often, every time I met him, I felt he was a gentle person. He shared various stories with juniors, not just about acting, and listened to everything with a fatherly smile."
Ahn Sung-ki's attitude towards acting left a lasting impression. Lee Ho-won noted, "He always prepared by reading the script and approached his work seriously. Watching him give his best until the end made me think, 'I should act like that too.'"
By Kim Ji-won, Ten Asia Reporter bella@tenasia.co.kr