Im Ho shares nostalgic photo following death of Choi Bool-am

Actor Im Ho posted a tribute photo of the "Country Diaries" cast on the 30th following the death of Choi Bool-am, who passed away at age 87 in Seoul on the 29th. The image also features the late Kim Su-mi, who died on October 25, 2024.

Actor Im Ho has shared a poignant tribute to the "Country Diaries" family, releasing a photo of the cast members sharing a happy moment with the late Choi Bool-am and Kim Su-mi. While the image captures fellow actors smiling together, the presence of the two deceased actors side-by-side has moved viewers. For Im Ho, who played the son of Choi Bool-am in the drama, the passing of Choi was a particularly profound sorrow.

On the 30th, Im Ho posted to his social media, writing, "The 'Country Diaries' and 'Chief Inspector' national father has passed away." He continued his condolences, stating, "Teacher Choi Bool-am, Father. It breaks my heart even more because you passed away after being ill. I will come to see you this evening."

The released photo shows the cast of the MBC drama "Country Diaries" gathered together and laughing. The image is presumed to have been taken during the filming of the tvN STORY variety show "The Chairman's People" in 2023. At that time, Choi Bool-am reunited with longtime colleagues, including Kim Hye-ja, to watch famous scenes from the drama and share memories from their filming days. The relaxed expressions of the actors, who have lived like a family for many years, reflect a deep bond that transcends their work.

The photo carries additional poignancy as it includes Kim Su-mi, who passed away last year. Kim Su-mi was beloved by viewers for her long-running role as Il-yong's Mother in "Country Diaries" and passed away on October 25, 2024, at the age of 75. With the release of this photo showing her smiling alongside her colleagues, the sense of loss for the "Country Diaries" family, who have now said goodbye to both Kim Su-mi and Choi Bool-am, feels even more profound.

Im Ho played the role of Geum-dong in "Country Diaries," acting as the son of Choi Bool-am. Appearing as the son of Chairman Kim, he became a familiar face to viewers by portraying the daily lives and conflicts of the family. The relationship between the two, who met as father and son in the drama, continued long after the show ended, evidenced by Im Ho's heartfelt address of the deceased as "Father."

Choi Bool-am passed away around 10:00 p.m. on the 29th at a hospital in Gangseo-gu, Seoul, while receiving treatment. He was 87 years old. It is reported that after undergoing surgery for a herniated disc last March, he had been focusing on rehabilitation, but his health had recently deteriorated. The news came as a great shock to fans who had been worrying about his health and waiting for his return after he had been unable to appear before the public for a long time.

Born in 1939, Choi Bool-am began his acting career with the stage play "Hamlet" in 1959, spending approximately 67 years performing on stage, television, and film. He showed a powerful presence as Chief Park Yeong-han in MBC's "Chief Inspector" and created the face of a father remembered by Korean society through his role as Chairman Kim in "Country Diaries." He also delivered profound performances in various works such as "You and I," "Age of Heroes," and "Princess Hours."

Another representative milestone of his career was hosting KBS 1TV's "Korean Cuisine and Dining" for 14 years, where he conveyed the food of various regions and the lives of the people within them. Beyond his acting career, he received national love for his warm perspective in highlighting the stories of ordinary people in society.

The funeral service is being held at Room 20 of the Asan Medical Center Funeral Hall in Songpa-gu, Seoul. The funeral will be held by ChildFund Korea, with the funeral procession scheduled for 7:00 a.m. on November 2. A funeral mass will be held at Yeouido Catholic Church in Seoul, and the final resting place is Donghwa Gyeongmo Park in Paju, Gyeonggi-do.

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