The government has posthumously awarded the Geumgwan Order of Cultural Merit (1st Class) to the late actor Choi Bul-am, who passed away on October 29.
Minister of Culture, Sports and Tourism Choi Hui-young visited the funeral hall at Asan Medical Center in Songpa-gu, Seoul, this afternoon (October 30) where the late actor's wake is being held.
During the visit, the minister delivered the Geumgwan Order of Cultural Merit, posthumously awarded to the deceased, to the bereaved family.
Choi Bul-am previously received the Eungwan Order of Cultural Merit (2nd Class) at the Korean Popular Culture and Arts Awards ceremony in November 2014.
The Order of Cultural Merit is awarded to individuals with distinguished contributions to the development of culture and arts and the enhancement of the public's cultural enjoyment.
Actors who have previously received the Geumgwan Order of Cultural Merit include Baek Sung-hee in 2016, Youn Yuh-jung in 2021, and Lee Jung-jae in 2022.
Lee Soon-jae and Kim Ji-mi received the Geumgwan Order of Cultural Merit in 2025, and Ahn Sung-ki received it in 2026.
The Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism stated, "The deceased debuted in the 1959 play 'Hamlet' and remained steadfastly by the public's side for 67 years, spanning theater, television dramas, films, and documentary programs."
The ministry explained the reason for the posthumous award, adding, "He led the golden age of Korean television dramas by playing Chief Inspector Park Young-han for 18 years in 'Chief Inspector,' considered the precursor to Korean investigative dramas, and Chairman Kim of Yangchon-ri for 22 years in Korea's longest-running drama 'Country Diaries.'"
The ministry also noted, "Portraying ordinary and humane Korean father figures, the deceased was beloved as a 'national actor' across generations."
It further added, "He hosted 'Korean Cuisine' for 14 years starting in 2011, delivering stories of food and life from all across the country to viewers."
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