Nam Seong-jin and Kim Ji-young mourn late actor Choi Bool-am

Actors Nam Seong-jin and Kim Ji-young visited the funeral altar at Asan Medical Center Funeral Hall on the 31st to mourn Choi Bool-am, who passed away at age 87 on the 29th. The couple, who worked with the late actor on the drama 'Country Diaries', described him as a mentor and father figure.

The acting couple Nam Seong-jin and Kim Ji-young visited the funeral altar of the late Choi Bool-am to express their deep condolences. Having worked as a family for many years in the MBC drama 'Country Diaries', the two viewed Choi Bool-am as more than just a senior actor, but as a mentor and a father figure who provided teachings on both acting and life.

On the 31st, Nam Seong-jin and Kim Ji-young visited the funeral altar for Choi Bool-am, which was set up at the Asan Medical Center Funeral Hall in Songpa-gu, Seoul, to see him off on his final journey. Standing before the press after paying their respects, Nam Seong-jin struggled to speak as he recalled his connection with the deceased.

“When I was cast in 'Country Diaries' along with my wife, he was a great teacher who taught us so much, not just about the life of an actor,” Nam Seong-jin recalled, adding, “He was like a great mountain to us.” His words reflected the respect and longing for Choi Bool-am, who had been a senior colleague on set for a long time and a guide in life.

Kim Ji-young also described the deceased as "someone like a father." She expressed her grief, saying, “I was always grateful and learned a lot from him in many ways. He was such a precious and valuable person to us, and it is so heartbreaking that we cannot see him again. I pray that he rests in peace.”

Nam Seong-jin shared that he is still finding it difficult to accept the sudden parting. “I even have things I spoke about with him recently. I cannot believe he has passed away,” he said. “I don't think I will be able to believe it for a long time to come.” He added, “I hope the teacher goes to a good place and rests comfortably.”

Kim Ji-young requested that people remember the human warmth left behind by Choi Bool-am. “I hope he is remembered as a great elder who was a role model to everyone, always shared a warm heart, and took care of everyone affectionately,” she said. The character of the deceased, who embraced junior actors both on and off-screen, was conveyed through the couple's eulogies.

The connection between the two and Choi Bool-am began in the national drama 'Country Diaries'. Nam Seong-jin played Yeong-nam, the grandson of Chairman Kim (Choi Bool-am), while Kim Ji-young played Bok-gil, and they worked together for a long time. The bond formed as a family within the drama extended beyond the filming set to a relationship where they shared their growth as actors and their lives.

Choi Bool-am passed away at 10:30 p.m. on the 29th while receiving treatment at a hospital in Gangseo-gu, Seoul, due to deteriorating health. He was 87 years old. The funeral altar was prepared at the Asan Medical Center Funeral Hall, and it has been receiving general mourners since the 30th.

The funeral for the deceased is being held as a five-day funeral service, with his role as the head of ChildFund Korea being noted. Younggi Hwang, the chairman of ChildFund Korea, is serving as the funeral committee chairman, and former Prime Ministers Lee Soo-sung and Lee Nack-yon are participating as funeral committee members. The funeral procession will take place on November 2, and a funeral mass honoring the deceased, who was a devout Catholic, will be offered at Yeouido Catholic Church after the procession.

Read the original (Korean)