Oh Ji-myeong tearfully bids farewell to lifelong friend Choi Bool-am

Actor Oh Ji-myeong visited the Asan Medical Center Funeral Hall in Seoul on October 31 to mourn Choi Bool-am, who passed away at the age of 87 on October 29. The two lifelong friends, who were recruited into broadcasting together by PD Lim Hak-song, shared a bond that dated back to their school days at Joongang High School.

Actor Oh Ji-myeong expressed his heartbroken sentiments after saying goodbye to his lifelong close friend, the late Choi Bool-am. Expressing deep sorrow at losing a colleague and friend, Oh repeatedly said "I'm sorry," stating that he thought he would be the one to pass away first, but his friend went ahead of him, revealing the extraordinary friendship the two shared over many years. Faced with the grief of losing a lifelong companion, Oh was unable to continue speaking.

On the afternoon of October 31, Oh Ji-myeong visited the funeral hall of Choi Bool-am at the Asan Medical Center Funeral Hall in Songpa-gu, Seoul, to see the deceased on his final journey. When asked about his relationship with Choi, Oh expressed deep loss, saying, "Mr. Choi Bool-am and I were the closest of friends. I thought I would die first, but this friend went first."

He continued, "I'm sorry. I am so sorry for no reason. I should have died first," drawing sympathy as he struggled to accept his friend's death, repeating that he should have been the one to depart first. While death was a reality the two, who had stood by each other for a long time, knew they would eventually face, the sudden absence of his friend felt like an unbearable weight.

Oh also recalled the early days of their connection. The two became close while working together on stage plays and later entered the broadcasting industry through a proposal from PD Lim Hak-song. "We didn't enter the talent exam as a pair after doing plays together; rather, a wonderful PD named Lim Hak-song took both of us through a special recruitment," Oh reminisced. Their entry into broadcasting was rooted in their shared stage experiences and connection, as they were recruited through special appointment rather than formal open recruitment exams.

Their friendship extended beyond being colleagues in the entertainment industry. Oh revealed that he had been close to Choi since the time Choi attended Joongang High School. The bond formed during their school days deepened through their activities in plays and broadcasting, allowing them to remain friends watching over each other's lives for many years.

In particular, Oh expressed his grief once more while recalling jokes the two used to share. "We used to always joke with each other, asking, 'Are you going to die first or am I?' but he is the one leaving first," he said. It seemed as though he found it hard to believe that the playful banter regarding the order of their deaths had now become reality.

He concluded by repeating, "I'm sorry. I'm sorry that I lived a little longer." It was a final farewell mixed with the guilt and emptiness of one who has sent a friend away first. While they are senior actors who built Korean broadcasting history together, to each other, they were school friends and stage colleagues who shared a long life. Oh's brief tribute reflected the depth of the friendship left by the human Choi Bool-am, transcending their illustrious careers and works.

The two were the same age and shared a special friendship. They also showcased their veteran skills together in the 2004 film 'Shit Up!'.

Choi Bool-am passed away at 10:30 p.m. on October 29 at the age of 87. The funeral procession will be held solemnly on November 2, and the burial site is Donghwa Gyeongmo Park in Paju, Gyeonggi-do. Oh Ji-myeong's words at the funeral hall, "I should have died first," remain as a final apology to his long-time friend and a poignant farewell to the one who departed first.

Read the original (Korean)