Seoul: Members of the film community and fans will pay tribute to late actor Ahn Sung-ki at Myeongdong Cathedral in downtown Seoul on Friday, where a memorial Mass and a funeral service will be held to honor his lifelong devotion to cinema and warm-hearted spirit.

According to Yonhap News Agency, leading the funeral procession will be actors Jung Woo-sung, carrying Ahn's portrait, and Lee Jung-jae, holding the Geumgwan Order of Cultural Merit, the country's highest cultural honor that was posthumously awarded to the actor on Monday. Fellow actors Sul Kyung-gu, Park Chul-min, Yoo Ji-tae, Jo Woo-jin, and Ju Ji-hoon will serve as pallbearers.

Archbishop Chung Soon-taick of Seoul will preside over the 8 a.m. Mass for Ahn, a devoted Catholic. A funeral service will follow at 9 a.m., with eulogies to be delivered. The actor passed away Monday at a Seoul hospital at the age of 74. He had been treated in an intensive care unit after collapsing at home from choking.

Ahn stood as a pillar of Korean cinema for decades, delivering versatile performances in more than 140 films since his debut in 1957 as a child actor. The film star was cherished not only by audiences but also by renowned directors for his performances and ability to embody a wide range of characters.

Beyond acting, the late actor dedicated his life to the development of Korean filmmaking, serving as a core member of the country's prominent film festivals, including the Busan International Film Festival and the DMZ International Documentary Film Festival.