Colleagues gather to mourn late actor Choi Bool-am

Actors Kim Hye-soo and Yoo Dong-geun joined numerous political and cultural figures at Asan Medical Center to pay respects to Choi Bool-am, who passed away at age 87 in Gangseo-gu, Seoul, on the 29th of last month.

Colleagues from the entertainment industry, with whom he had built long-standing relationships, gathered to mourn the late Choi Bool-am. Kim Hye-soo visited the funeral hall for three days to stay by the side of the bereaved family and greet mourners, while Yoo Dong-geun arrived at the funeral hall in his work clothes immediately after finishing a shoot to pay his respects. Meanwhile, Kim Yong-geon, who played a father-son role with the deceased in 'Country Diaries', expressed his regret at being unable to attend due to advice from those around him, as he prepares for the upcoming wedding of his eldest son, Ha Jung-woo.

Choi Bool-am passed away at approximately 10:00 p.m. on the 29th of last month while receiving hospital treatment in Gangseo-gu, Seoul, at the age of 87. The funeral hall at Asan Medical Center began receiving mourners from 10:00 a.m. on the 30th, with a procession of mourners continuing throughout the funeral period.

Visitors to the funeral hall included political and cultural figures such as Democratic Party of Korea leader Kim Min-seok, former Prime Minister Kim Boo-kyum, former Minister of Culture, Sports and Tourism Yoo In-chon, Minister of Culture, Sports and Tourism Choi Hwi-young, and Seoul Mayor Oh Se-hoon. Actors including former Busan International Film Festival executive director Kim Dong-ho, Na Moon-hee, Kim Seong-hwan, Cha In-pyo, Park Eun-soo, Kang Seok-u, Lim Hyunsik, Lee Hong-ryeol, Lee Kye-in, Lee Kyeong-jin, Yang Taek-jo, Go Doo-shim, Kim Hye-ja, and Youn Yuh-jung also visited the hall to say their final goodbyes. Mourners also included singer Jin Sung, Hanbok designer Park Sul-nyeo, and model Lee Hyun-yi.

Among the attendees, the presence of Kim Hye-soo left a deep impression. Visiting the funeral hall for three days starting from the first day, she greeted mourners with swollen eyes from grief and stayed by the side of the bereaved family. She was seen bowing 90 degrees to see off mourners and was even captured kneeling to tidy shoes. Her actions, such as supporting the deceased's wife, Kim Min-ja, revealed the deep, family-like bond they shared.

The relationship between Kim Hye-soo and the couple Choi Bool-am and Kim Min-ja began with the 1987 drama 'Song of Longing'. At that time, Kim Hye-soo played the role of the daughter to Kim Min-ja, and since then, the two have shared a special bond that extended beyond their on-screen relationship. As Choi Bool-am and Kim Min-ja were figures Kim Hye-soo could rely on like parents rather than just senior colleagues, her actions at the funeral are seen as an extension of that deep connection.

Yoo Dong-geun also showed his final respect to the deceased despite his filming schedule. After finishing a late-night shoot, he visited the funeral hall without changing out of the work clothes he had been wearing on set. His visit, which seemed to prioritize expressing his grief in person over wearing formal attire, remains a notable scene of mourning.

On the other hand, the absence of Kim Yong-geon, who worked with Choi Bool-am for a long time in 'Country Diaries', left a sense of regret. His situation was conveyed through his colleague Baek Il-seob. After paying his respects, Baek Il-seob told reporters that he received a call from Kim Yong-geon, explaining, "Yong-geon-i also needs to come, but isn't his son Ha Jung-woo getting married next month? He called me." Baek added that he told Kim Yong-geon, "Do not come."

Kim Yong-geon's eldest son, Ha Jung-woo, is scheduled to marry influencer Cha Jung-won, who is 11 years younger, on December 13. Kim Yong-geon stated that he was unavoidably unable to attend the funeral because those around him advised against visiting the funeral hall ahead of a family event. Expressing his deep condolences, he lamented that his feelings were "indescribably complicated" regarding his inability to personally see off the deceased's final moments.

Choi Bool-am stepped down from the KBS 1TV program 'Korean Cuisine and Dining', which he had hosted for 14 years since 2011, as his mobility became difficult due to a herniated disc last year. Although he had been focusing on rehabilitation, his health recently deteriorated sharply, and he was ultimately unable to recover. This news was particularly poignant for the public, who had been waiting for his return after he stepped away from the program he shared with viewers for a long time.

Having started his acting career with the stage play 'Hamlet' in 1959, Choi Bool-am left a significant mark on South Korean popular culture through his roles as Chief Park Young-han in MBC's 'Chief Inspector' and Chairman Kim in 'Country Diaries'. He was a national actor loved across generations, establishing himself as both a rigorous, righteous investigator and a reliable elder in rural communities. The actions of his colleagues and the final tributes paid at the funeral hall demonstrate the depth of the legacy and relationships he left behind.

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