Private funeral held for veteran actor Choi Bool-am

The family of actor Choi Bool-am is holding a private memorial service at the Asan Medical Center Funeral Hall in Seoul following his death at age 87 on the 29th. The veteran performer, who had a 67-year career spanning stage, film, and television, passed away while receiving treatment in Gangseo-gu.

Following the passing of the "National Father" actor Choi Bool-am, his memorial service is being held privately in accordance with the wishes of his bereaved family. An information screen installed outside the memorial hall displays a black-and-white portrait of the late actor with a bright smile, touching the hearts of those who see it. As the final image of the actor, who was remembered by the public for his friendly face, is quietly revealed, mourners continue to arrive.

According to industry sources on the 30th, Choi Bool-am passed away at approximately 10:00 p.m. on the 29th while receiving treatment at a hospital in Gangseo-gu, Seoul. He was 87 years old. The memorial has been set up at the Asan Medical Center Funeral Hall in Pungnap-dong, Seoul, with condolences beginning at 9:00 a.m. that morning. However, the interior of the memorial is not being open to the public at the request of the bereaved family.

The portrait of the deceased can be viewed through a screen installed outside the memorial hall. In the photo, Choi Bool-am wears a characteristic gentle smile within a calm black-and-white atmosphere. On the memorial nameplate, his real name, Choi Young-han, is listed instead of his well-known stage name, Choi Bool-am. This appears to reflect the decision of the family to hold a quiet funeral without grand decorations or separate public events.

Born in 1939, Choi Bool-am was reported to have experienced difficulties with movement after undergoing spinal disc surgery last March. Due to this, he stepped down from the KBS1 program "Korean Cuisine and Dining," which he had hosted for 14 years since 2011. Although he worked on rehabilitation following the surgery, his health deteriorated, and he was ultimately unable to stand before the public again. Following rumors of health issues since the beginning of this year, the news of his passing has increased the sorrow of fans and colleagues.

Starting on the theater stage in 1959, the deceased left a distinct mark on Korean popular culture history by spanning dramas, films, and stage plays for 67 years. In particular, his roles as Chief Park Young-han in the MBC drama "Chief Inspector" and Chairman Kim in "Country Diaries" are representative roles that imprinted the actor Choi Bool-am as a national figure. His portrayal of a steadfast yet human detective and a generous patriarch who embraced family and neighbors has remained in the memories of viewers for a long time.

His acting career was not limited to specific genres or one or two works. He showcased performances that pierced through eras and characters in various works, including "You and I," "The 1st Republic," "The Second Republic," "Eyes of Dawn," "Can't Forget," "Age of Heroes," "Princess Hours," "Gourmet," "Life on Mars," and "Chief Detective 1958." He also displayed a wide acting world on the screen in films such as "Light and Shadow," "Breaking the Precepts," "Yeong-ja’s Heydays," "My Hometown," "Good Windy Days," "Our Joyful Young Days," and "She's on Duty."

Beyond his acting, Choi Bool-am communicated with the public as a host for current affairs and educational programs. Leading "Korean Cuisine and Dining" as well as "Campaign Headquarters for a Better Country," he conveyed the stories of food and the people within them from all over the country. In "Korean Cuisine and Dining" specifically, he was evaluated as having established himself as the symbolic face of the program by focusing on the lives of the people who make and share food rather than the food itself. It was noted that the weight and warm perspective he built as an actor aligned with the identity of the program.

The deceased, who also entered politics and served as a member of the 14th National Assembly, continued wide-ranging activities in the entertainment industry and various social fields. He is remembered by the public as an actor, a broadcaster, and a face symbolizing a father and neighbor of an era. His bereaved family includes actor Kim Min-ja, son Dong-nyeok, and daughter Dong-bi.

The funeral procession will take place at 7:00 a.m. on November 2, and the burial site is Donghwa Gyeongmo Park. Having lived as a national father and neighbor in numerous works, the bright portrait of Choi Bool-am left outside the memorial hall now makes the reality felt that he can no longer be seen before the stage and camera, leaving a deep lingering farewell to the public who laughed and cried with him for many years.

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