Award-winning Korean actor Ahn Sung-ki, who appeared in the hit 2022 Korean movie "Hansan: Rising Dragon," revealed that he has blood cancer.
The health condition of the 70-year-old actor was revealed on Sept. 16 after he attended a special movie screening of the works of director Bae Chang-ho.
At the event, he wore a wig and was aided by actress Kim Bo-yeon, raising speculations that he was sick.
Ahn Sung-ki revealed that he has blood cancer.
“I was diagnosed with blood cancer and have been fighting for over a year. After receiving chemotherapy, my health has recently improved and I was able to go out,” he told Korean media Chosun Ilbo.
He added, “When I take off my wig (for cancer treatment), I am bald.”
“Cancer is caused by a dysfunction in cellular growth and behavior. In a healthy body, new white blood cells are regularly generated to replace old, dying ones. The excessive production of white blood cells in the bone marrow leads to blood cancers,” according to the Yale Medicine website.
It stated that there are three kinds of blood cancer: leukemia, lymphoma and myeloma.
“Leukemia is cancer of white blood cells or cells that become white blood cells. Lymphoma is cancer of the lymphatic system (an important part of the immune system), particularly lymph nodes (small bean-shaped structures of the lymphatic system that filter out harmful substances). Myeloma is cancer of the plasma cells, which are lymphocytes that make antibodies to protect against infections. Myeloma affects your body’s immune system, leaving it susceptible to infection,” according to the website.
Ahn Sung-ki is one of the most respected actors in South Korea. He debuted as an actor in 1957 in the film “Twilight Train.”
His other movies include “Unbowed" (2012), "The Hunt" (2016), "Top Star" (2013), "The Divine Fury" (2019). He has won many best actor awards throughout his career.