[Edaily Starin Gim Ga Yeong Reporter] Tributes to the late Director Ahn Pan-seok continue to pour in.

On the 14th, Jung Ryeo-won paid tribute to Director Ahn, saying, “I still can’t believe it. Although I’d been mentally preparing myself, I’m still not quite sure how I feel,” adding, “Thank you for igniting a spark in the hearts of so many actors.”
She said, “You have no idea how hard the actors worked just to earn that ‘No. 1’ stamp from you. I was happy to be able to spend the entire shoot with that mindset,” adding, “Thank you for teaching me to live close to the written word. Thanks to your focus on subtracting rather than adding, I began to see the essence of things.”
Jung Ryeo-won added, “I was holding it together really well, but when I heard a Beatles song playing at the funeral hall, I just couldn’t help but cry. Director, may you rest in peace.”
Cha Kang-yoon said, “Director Ahn Pan-seok, who was a respected mentor and like a father to me. It breaks my heart to realize that I must now cherish on my own the simple messages we used to share. I’m overcome with indescribable emotions as I recall how you used to place kkakdugi on top of my chicken soup, telling me to always believe in myself and move forward,” he said. “Personally, there was so much I wanted to show you, but now I can’t. Please don’t suffer any more, and please watch over me. I will become a great actor.”
Oh Ryong expressed his condolences, saying, “I humbly pray for the repose of the deceased’s soul. Thank you, Director.”
Director Ahn Pan-seok passed away on the 12th after his health deteriorated while battling a cerebral hemorrhage. News of Director Ahn’s illness broke on the 31st of last month, just as filming for the Genie TV original drama *Love Doctor* had wrapped up and the series was set to premiere. At the time, a representative from Studio Genie stated, “He is currently recovering,” adding, “Editing has been completed following the wrap of filming. There are no issues with the broadcast schedule,” but the tragic news came just about half a month later, causing great sadness.
The production team of “Love Doctor” issued a statement regarding Director Ahn Pan-seok’s passing, saying, “We are sharing this obituary in accordance with the wishes of the bereaved family.” They added, “As the bereaved family is in deep mourning, we intend to conduct the funeral proceedings privately to allow them to quietly say their goodbyes to the deceased. We earnestly ask for your cooperation. Once again, we express our deepest condolences on the deceased’s passing and respectfully pray for the repose of his soul.”
Scheduled for release this October, “Love Doctor” tells the story of Min-jae, a doctoral student who was a high school swimmer but lost one leg to illness, and Yoo-jin, a master’s student who, after wandering aimlessly following a career setback, has embarked on a new path. The drama depicts the spicy, bitter, and sweet romance that blossoms between these two young people in a robotics lab. Choo Young-woo and Kim So-hyun star in the lead roles.
Meanwhile, Director Ahn, who joined MBC in 1987 and began directing dramas, has helmed numerous hit series, including “Roses and Bean Sprouts,” “The White Tower,” “The Qualifications of a Wife,” “Secret Affair,” “Heard It Through the Grapevine,” “Pretty Noona Who Buys Me Food,” “Spring Night,” “Graduation,” and “The Art of Negotiation.”