Newly released photo shows late actor Choi Bool-am in military uniform

A photograph of the late actor Choi Bool-am wearing a military uniform has been released following his death at age 87. Taken in 2015 for the Ground Forces Festival, the image shows the former actor, who enlisted in 1960, wearing a Sergeant rank insignia 50 years after his discharge.

The image of the late actor Choi Bool-am, who was loved for a long time as the "national father," wearing a military uniform has been released after his passing, adding a sense of poignancy. Standing before the camera with clenched fists, the photo captures a different moment in the life of Choi Bool-am, a former soldier, separate from his career of over half a century in acting.

The photo, recently released through a media outlet, was taken in 2015 by humorous photographer Rami Hyun (47). At the time, Choi Bool-am left a special record by wearing a military uniform at the "Ground Forces Festival," a military culture event hosted by the Army. Interest has focused on the photo as it was released belatedly, showing an atmosphere different from the image of the actor familiar to the public during his lifetime.

The shoot began during the preparation process for the event's promotion. Rami Hyun suggested the idea of recruiting celebrities to represent various military ranks, and it was suggested that Choi Bool-am would be suitable for the role of a seasoned Sergeant Major with long military service. This led to the military uniform shoot, and he readily stood before the camera wearing the uniform provided by the Army.

However, the uniform prepared at the time was attached with a Sergeant rank insignia rather than a Sergeant Major insignia. Although he was recruited as a figure to represent military ranks, Choi Bool-am actually appeared in the photo wearing the rank of Sergeant. His firm expression and clenched fists in the photo leave a strong impression, different from the gentle image he usually presented to the public.

At the time of the shoot, Choi Bool-am expressed his emotions about wearing a military uniform for the first time in a long while. He was reported to have said, "I am wearing a military uniform for the first time in quite a long time after being asked. It will likely be the first and last time since my discharge about 50 years ago." Indeed, Choi Bool-am enlisted in the Army in 1960 and completed his military service. Wearing the uniform again after more than half a century appears to have been a special memory for him.

Beyond a simple record of an event, this photo looks back at a scene from the life of actor Choi Bool-am. For a man who received national love by showing the face of a father and an elder in dramas and films for many years, the sight of him standing before the camera in a military uniform comes to the public with a sense of unfamiliarity and special meaning. The lingering emotion conveyed by the single photograph is even deeper as it was released after his death.

Rami Hyun has been conducting "Project Soldier," which records the figures of those performing public duties wearing uniforms, such as soldiers, police officers, and firefighters. This project, known to have photographed approximately 8,000 people in Korea alone, is a work of leaving records of the responsibility and dedication of people in uniform. Choi Bool-am's military uniform photo has also become part of that record.

Choi Bool-am passed away on the 29th of last month while receiving inpatient treatment at a hospital in Gangseo-gu, Seoul. He was 87 years old. His military uniform photo, as he remains in the public memory as a warm father and reliable elder, is now being delivered to the public as a precious record that retraces his time during his lifetime.

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