Ahn Sung-ki Cherishes Life-Long Commitment to Charity
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Actor Ahn Sung-ki plays the good guy in real life so often that it's changed his views on his work. "Now I feel awkward when I'm offered to play the role of a villain", he says. As a goodwill ambassador of the Korean Committee for UNICEF, Ahn is more frequently spotted at charity events these days than on the silver screen.
Last Wednesday Ahn traveled to Haiti to help out in the recovery efforts from the catastrophic January earthquake. During his four-day stay in the Caribbean country, he visited schools, orphanages and drinking water facilities and delivered UNICEF aid to quake victims.
"The debris of collapsed buildings was everywhere", Ahn said. "There were buildings that were barely standing, and they looked as if they would fall down at any moment. Due to post-traumatic stress disorder, some children were terrified whenever they saw buildings".
The 58-year-old actor joined the UNICEF charity campaign two decades ago. "Twenty years ago it wasn't common for actors and entertainers to lend a helping hand to people in need, but it's changed now as Korea has transformed from a recipient country to a donor country", he says.
The actor donates his time, money and talent by taking part in philanthropic events and appearing in videos promoting charity activities two or three times a month. He says he plans to continue to help out as long as he is considered useful.
"Actors and entertainers often feel indebted for the love they receive from fans", he says. "I'm gratified that I have opportunities to repay the debt through charity activities. When I go out on rescue or charity missions, I reconsider my attitudes on life. It motivates me not to be self-indulgent and lazy".
Last Wednesday Ahn traveled to Haiti to help out in the recovery efforts from the catastrophic January earthquake. During his four-day stay in the Caribbean country, he visited schools, orphanages and drinking water facilities and delivered UNICEF aid to quake victims.
"The debris of collapsed buildings was everywhere", Ahn said. "There were buildings that were barely standing, and they looked as if they would fall down at any moment. Due to post-traumatic stress disorder, some children were terrified whenever they saw buildings".
The 58-year-old actor joined the UNICEF charity campaign two decades ago. "Twenty years ago it wasn't common for actors and entertainers to lend a helping hand to people in need, but it's changed now as Korea has transformed from a recipient country to a donor country", he says.
The actor donates his time, money and talent by taking part in philanthropic events and appearing in videos promoting charity activities two or three times a month. He says he plans to continue to help out as long as he is considered useful.
"Actors and entertainers often feel indebted for the love they receive from fans", he says. "I'm gratified that I have opportunities to repay the debt through charity activities. When I go out on rescue or charity missions, I reconsider my attitudes on life. It motivates me not to be self-indulgent and lazy".
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