Hanbok designer prepared funeral attire for late actor Choi Bool-am a year in advance

Hanbok designer Park Sul-nyeo visited the Asan Medical Center Funeral Hall on the 30th to deliver mourning clothes for Kim Min-ja following the death of actor Choi Bool-am. Park had been preparing the deceased's traditional attire for nearly a year after learning of his declining health and spinal surgery.

Hanbok designer Park Sul-nyeo has moved many with the revelation that she had been preparing the funeral attire for the late Choi Bool-am for a year. After hearing news of the actor's deteriorating health, she had carefully prepared the final garments he might one day need. The sentiment was deepened by the fact that she received a call from his wife, Kim Min-ja, three weeks ago to begin formal preparations.

On the 30th, Park Sul-nyeo visited the funeral hall of Choi Bool-am at the Asan Medical Center Funeral Hall to pay her respects. Upon arriving at the scene as soon as the funeral hall was established, she personally delivered the mourning clothes to be worn by the deceased's wife, actress Kim Min-ja. Having rushed to the scene following the sudden news, Park spoke cautiously about the process of preparing the actor's final clothing.

“In truth, I did not know that he had passed away. I came in a hurry today after receiving a request to prepare the mourning clothes,” she said. “I have prepared the clothes for his wife to wear, and I must bring the funeral attire for Choi Bool-am later this evening or tomorrow.” She explained that following the delivery of the mourning clothes for Kim Min-ja, she plans to finalize and deliver the funeral attire for the deceased.

The preparation of the funeral attire began long ago. Park revealed that she had already made a *dopo* (traditional overcoat) when she heard that Choi Bool-am was undergoing surgery for spinal pain. The *baji-jeogori* (traditional pants and jacket) had also been completed nearly a year ago. She explained that after learning of his poor health, she had been steadily preparing with his final moments in mind.

In particular, she shared that she received a call from Kim Min-ja two to three weeks ago, requesting that she begin formal preparations due to Choi Bool-am's declining condition. In addition to the *dopo* and *baji-jeogori* already prepared, she was adding necessary accessories. This moment marks the intersection of a family's heart as they prepare for the end of a life and the sincerity of a hanbok artisan with a long-standing relationship with the deceased.

Park described her connection to Choi Bool-am as "a bond formed by hanbok." Having enjoyed watching him host the KBS 1TV show "Korean Cuisine and Dining," Park once prepared a more colorful hanbok, but shared an anecdote where Choi Bool-am preferred plain-colored clothing. Recalling the tastes of the deceased, who loved nature and valued traditional beauty, she remembered him as "an elder who loved nature and liked traditional things."

She also did not hide her respect for his life as an actor. “He was truly a born actor. A person who lived his entire life solely in his acting career without ever stepping foot elsewhere,” Park said, highly praising how he remained centered on the path of an actor throughout his life despite the many temptations a national actor would face. Having walked the single path of hanbok for 48 years herself, she expressed respect for his life, noting she understands well how difficult it is to remain centered in one field for such a long time.

“I have a regret that I wish he could have lived ten more years. He was a person who gave so much resonance to our people,” she said, expressing her sorrow. This implies that the grief of losing an actor who was loved by the public for a long time as a familiar face is extending beyond personal acquaintance into a sense of national loss.

She also spoke of the appearance of the deceased's wife, Kim Min-ja. “I felt relieved because the Madam was so composed,” Park said, noting that even while she personally helped her into the mourning clothes and pinned her hair, she felt the presence of a great actress's wife. Finally, she offered words of condolence, wishing for Choi Bool-am to be at peace in heaven, noting, “The weather is very good today. It is a day where it does not rain and the sun shines brightly.”

Choi Bool-am passed away at around 10 p.m. on the 29th while receiving inpatient treatment at a hospital in Gangseo-gu, Seoul. He was 87 years old. Having debuted in the 1959 stage play "Hamlet," he received national love for many years through his roles as Detective Park Young-han in MBC "Chief Inspector" and Chairman Kim in "Country Diaries." He also left a heavy presence in various works such as "You and I."

Since 2011, he hosted the KBS 1TV "Korean Cuisine and Dining," conveying the food found throughout the country and the lives of ordinary people contained within it. After undergoing surgery for a herniated disc last March, he had been focusing on rehabilitation. The funeral procession will be held strictly at 7 a.m. on November 2. The burial site is Donghwa Gyeongmo Park.

Read the original (Korean)