South Korean television director Ahn Pan-seok, known for acclaimed dramas such as Something in the Rain, Behind the White Tower, One Spring Night passed away on August 12, 2026. He was reported to be 65.
According to The Chosun Daily‘s report on August 13, Ahn collapsed after suffering a cerebral hemorrhage in July and was hospitalized for treatment. At the time, his production company said that he was recovering and that filming for his upcoming drama had been completed, including editing. His health later deteriorated, and he died on the Wednesday afternoon.
Sports Chosun reported that Ahn had been diagnosed with lung cancer the previous year and had been receiving treatment before suffering the cerebral hemorrhage. His representatives had not yet publicly released further medical details. Ahn’s family had asked the media to respect the their wish for a private farewell while they grieve.
His funeral is reportedly arranged at Seoul National University Hospital Funeral Hall in Jongno District, Seoul. The departure ceremony is scheduled for 9:30 a.m. on August 15, followed by cremation at Seoul City Crematorium. Funeral proceedings are being kept private at the family’s request.
Ahn Pan-seok’s career and legacy: From Behind the White Tower to his final drama Love Doctor
Ahn Pan-seok was born in Seoul in 1961 and graduated from Sejong University with a degree in English Language and Literature. He joined MBC’s drama production division in 1987 and initially worked as an assistant director on projects including Humble Men and My Mother’s Sea.
He made his directorial debut in 1994 with Greetings of Love, an episode of MBC Best Theater. He later directed several major television projects, including Partner, Roses and Bean Sprouts, Ajumma, and I Love You, Hyun Jung. He left MBC in 2003 to work as a freelancer and directed the 2006 film Over the Border.
His 2007 medical drama Behind the White Tower became one of the defining works of his career. Starring Kim Myung Min, the series explored ambition, professional competition, power struggles and medical malpractice within a university hospital. It premiered with an 11.8 percent nationwide rating and ended at 20.8 percent. An UHD remastered version released in 2018 also attracted considerable attention.
Ahn became particularly recognized for realistic, character driven storytelling. Secret Affair examined love alongside money and power, while Something in the Rain, starring Son Ye-jin and Jung Hae-in, focused on an ordinary romance while portraying workplace and family pressures. He later directed One Spring Night, The Midnight Romance in Hagwon, and The Art of Negotiation.
His dramas were known for natural dialogue, restrained performances and detailed portrayals of relationships and everyday conflicts. The director received Best Director awards at the Baeksang Arts Awards for Behind the White Tower in 2007 and Secret Affair in 2014.
Following his death, colleagues and actors shared tributes. Broadcaster Baek Ji-yeon, who joined MBC alongside Ahn in 1987, remembered him as a brilliant director and a good friend. Actress Kim Hye-eun, who worked with him on Secret Affair, expressed gratitude for the opportunity and said she regretted not being able to work on his final project. Actor Kim Myung-min also expressed deep sorrow over the loss.
Ahn’s last work is the drama Love Doctor, starring Kim So-hyun and Choo Young-woo. Filming and post production of the series has already been completed before his hospitalization. The drama will proceed as planned and will become his final directorial work.
Edited by Adrija Chakraborty