Veteran actor Choi Bool-am passes away at 87 following spinal surgery and rehabilitation

Actor Choi Bool-am, who was called the "National Father" and protected the living rooms of television viewers for over half a century, has passed away at the age of 87. Following spinal disc surgery, the deceased had focused on rehabilitation due to difficulties in movement, and ultimately passed away without being able to stand before the public again. The sudden news has brought great sadness to colleagues and viewers who had been waiting for his return amidst ongoing rumors regarding his health.

According to industry sources on the 30th, Choi Bool-am passed away at approximately 10:00 p.m. on the 29th while receiving inpatient treatment at a hospital in Gangseo-gu, Seoul. After undergoing spinal disc surgery in March last year, his mobility became impaired, leading him to step down from the KBS 1TV show 'Korean Cuisine and Dining,' which he had hosted for 14 years. While he had been focusing on rehabilitation to recover his health, it is reported that his condition worsened.

Concerns regarding his health had persisted during his lifetime. Actor Baek Il-seob expressed his worry during an appearance on the MBN show 'Precious Secrets' in March, revealing that he had been unable to reach Choi Bool-am. "There is no contact from Hyung Bool-am either. Even when I call, he does not answer the phone," Baek said. "I cannot pry into the details, so I am worried. I hope Hyung Bool-am can shake it off and get up quickly." His remarks expressing concern for a long-time colleague weighed heavily on viewers at the time.

In May, news that he would appear in the MBC documentary 'Paha, I'm Choi Bool-am,' which highlights his 60-year acting career, raised expectations for his return. However, his appearance did not ultimately take place. The production team explained at the time that while they had been coordinating filming schedules until recently, they decided not to put him before the camera following a request from his family to focus on his rehabilitation. Although a special stage was prepared to look back on his work and life, viewers were ultimately unable to see him in person.

Born in 1939, though recorded as 1940 on his family registry, Choi Bool-am was born in Jemulpo District (formerly Dong District), Incheon. He began his acting career in 1959 with the Experimental Theater Society's play 'Hamlet' and began performing seriously as a member of the National Theater Company of Korea in 1965. After being selected as a specially recruited talent for Seoul Central Broadcasting (now KBS) in 1967, he entered television acting through the drama 'Grand Prince Suyang.'

Since then, Choi Bool-am established himself as an actor who accompanied the history of Korean television dramas. He left a strong impression particularly in 'Chief Inspector' as Detective Park, and in 'Country Diaries,' he played the role of Chairman Kim, portraying the face of an adult who served as the center of a rural community and embraced the family. He also received love that transcended generations through deep performances in various works such as 'You and I.'

His presence was also distinct on the silver screen. He expanded his acting range by appearing in several works, including 'Light and Shadow,' 'The Female Bandit,' 'The Angelus,' 'Transgression,' 'Yeong-ja’s Heydays,' 'Good Windy Days,' and 'Our Joyful Young Days.' His acting history, which expressed the inner lives of characters and eras without being confined to specific genres or images, formed a pillar of Korean popular culture.

In 2018, he returned to the stage for the first time in 25 years through the play 'When the Wind Blows and the Stars Sway,' and in the same year, he appeared in the drama 'Life on Mars.' In 2024, he reunited with a work that has long represented him by making a special appearance in the drama 'Chief Detective 1958,' which revived the universe of 'Chief Inspector.' In this way, he maintained his connection to acting until the very end.

Beyond being an actor who appeared in many works, Choi Bool-am was a father figure remembered by Korean society and an elder of his era. While Chairman Kim in 'Country Diaries' and Detective Park in 'Chief Inspector' were different characters, they shared the commonality of being individuals possessing compassion and responsibility for humanity. This is why his absence feels even more significant, given how long he resided in the daily lives of viewers.

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