Beloved "National Father" Choi Bool-am Passes Away at Age 87

Actor Choi Bool-am, affectionately known as the "national father," has passed away at the age of 87.

Choi passed away at around 10:00 PM last night (October 29) while receiving inpatient treatment at a hospital in Gangseo-gu, Seoul.

Debuting in the 1959 stage play "Hamlet," Choi cemented his status as a national actor by gaining immense popularity in iconic roles. These included Chief Park Young-han in MBC's "Chief Inspector"—the pioneer of Korean investigative dramas that aired for 18 years starting in 1971—and Chairman Kim of Yangchon-ri in MBC's "Country Diaries," South Korea's longest-running drama, which broadcast for 22 years.

He also had a long and active career as a current affairs and cultural program host, leading KBS's "Korean Table" for 14 years starting in 2011.

Choi had reportedly been working hard on his rehabilitation after undergoing surgery for a herniated lumbar disc last year, but his health recently deteriorated.

(Photo: Yonhap News)
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