Director Ahn Pan-seok, known for 'White Tower' and 'Pretty Noona,' dies at 65

Ahn Pan-seok, the director behind drama series including "White Tower" and "Pretty Noona Who Buys Me Food," has died at 65, just weeks before his latest work was set to air.

Ahn collapsed after suffering a cerebral hemorrhage and died Wednesday while receiving hospital treatment, broadcasting industry sources said.

The production team of ENA's "Love Doctor" announced his passing, saying, "We share this heartbreaking news with deep condolences. We offer our sincerest mourning for the deceased."

Born in 1961, Ahn joined MBC in 1987 and began his career directing drama series.

Over the following decades he directed a string of hits that included "Jjak," "White Tower," "A Wife's Credentials," "Secret Love Affair," "Heard It Through the Grapevine," "Pretty Noona Who Buys Me Food," "Spring Night," "Graduation" and "The Art of Negotiation."

"Love Doctor," a Monday-Tuesday drama series on ENA scheduled to premiere in October, will be his final work.

The series stars Chu Young-woo and Kim So-hyun and marks a collaboration between Ahn and screenwriter Min Hyo-jeong, who previously wrote "Rooftop Cat" and "Full House."

Chu plays Park Min-jae, a doctoral student who was once a competitive swimmer but lost a leg to illness and found a new purpose in robotics. Kim plays Lim Yu-jin, a master's student struggling to find her path.

The production is expected to proceed as scheduled.