[Edaily Starin Gim Ga Yeong Reporter] Director Ahn Pan-seok, known as a “drama maestro,” has passed away after a battle with illness, and his body of work is now being revisited.

Born in 1961, Director Ahn graduated from the Department of English Language and Literature at Sejong University and began his career as a drama director upon joining MBC in 1987. During his time at MBC, he directed a variety of genres, including the dramas *Match*, *Roses and Bean Sprouts*, *Speak with Your Eyes*, *Hyun-jung, I Love You*, and *Heung-bu’s Jar Burst*, achieving commercial success and solidifying his reputation as a director.
After leaving MBC in 2003, he premiered “Heungbu’s Gourd Bursts” on SBS, and later returned to MBC to direct “The White Tower,” which became a hit and reestablished his reputation.
Since then, he has directed numerous hit series—including JTBC’s *A Wife’s Qualifications* and *Secret Affair*, SBS’s *I Heard It Through the Grapevine*, JTBC’s *Pretty Sister Who Buys Me Dinners*, MBC’s *Spring Night*, tvN’s *Graduation*, and JTBC’s *The Art of Negotiation*—earning him the title of “drama maestro.” In particular, he established a unique style by skillfully portraying realistic stories with subtle emotional nuances, earning the love of drama enthusiasts.
Director Ahn recently wrapped up filming for KT Studio Genie’s *Love Doctor*. When news broke that Director Ahn had collapsed due to a cerebral hemorrhage, concerns arose about the drama’s future; however, the production team issued a statement saying, “He is currently recovering,” and added, “Editing has been completed following the wrap-up of filming. There will be no issues with the broadcast schedule.”
However, as his condition worsened during his illness, he sadly passed away on the 12th.
In response, the “Love Doctor” production team announced, “Director Ahn Pan-seok passed away on August 12, 2026, at the age of 64,” adding, “We are sharing this obituary in accordance with the wishes of his family. As his family is deeply grieving, we ask for your earnest cooperation in keeping the funeral proceedings private from the media so they may quietly say their final goodbyes to the deceased.”