K-drama legend dies suddenly of brain haemorrhage
Tributes have flooded in for Ahn Pan-seok (Image: Getty)
K-drama director Ahn Pan-seok has sadly died at the age of 64 after suffering a sudden brain haemorrhage. The South Korean TV director worked on hit shows like Heard It Through the Grapevine, Secret Affair and Behind the White Tower throughout his career, having graduated from Sejong University.
Ahn died while undergoing treatment in the hospital after he collapsed from a cerebral haemorrhage. The production team on his upcoming TV series Love Doctor released a statement confirming the tragic news, which read: “We are delivering heartbreaking news. We express our deepest condolences and pray for the deceased to rest in peace.”
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The show is slated for release in October 2026, becoming Ahn’s first and only posthumous work.
Ahn’s death comes a year after he was diagnosed with lung cancer, which he had been receiving treatment for before his latest hospitalisation.
Tributes have flooded in for the director. One fan quoted his co-star Son Yejin, who said of him in 2018: “There are so many heartwarming stories about the director. Everyone who has worked with him gives him a thumbs up. I don’t think I can work with any other director in the future.”
The director (far left) suffered a brain haemorrhage (Image: Getty)
Somebody else wrote on X: “A true master of storytelling whose work defined an era of Korean television. Rest in peace.”
Another penned: “Director Ahn Pan-Seok passed away last night. He was working on an upcoming drama starring #ChooYoungWoo and #KimSoHyun. May he rest in peace.”
Ahn’s funeral is reportedly set to take place at Seoul National University Hospital Funeral Hall on August 15th, followed by a cremation at Seoul City Crematorium. The funeral will be private as per the family’s request.
