Beloved "National Father" Actor Choi Bul-am Passes Away at 87

Actor Choi Bul-am, beloved as the "national father," passed away last night at the age of 87.

It was reported that his health rapidly deteriorated recently following a lumbar disc surgery in March of last year.

Debuting in the play "Hamlet" in 1959, Choi received enduring love from the public over many years, notably portraying Chief Inspector Park in the drama "Chief Inspector" and Chairman Kim in "Country Diaries."

From 2011 for 14 years, he also hosted "Korean Table," conveying the lives and sorrows of ordinary people.

Tributes poured in following the news of Choi's passing.

Online posts continued to appear, such as "Chairman Kim of Yangchon-ri, rest in peace," and "Eternal Chief Inspector, may you sleep in peace."

President Lee Jae-myung also expressed condolences, saying, "I will remember the teacher who stayed by the public's side for a long time as the father of our era."

Prime Minister Han Sung-sook expressed condolences by stating, "The late actor's acting career was the history of South Korea's culture and arts itself," adding that the emotion he gave to the public will be cherished forever.

Seoul Mayor Oh Se-hun also mourned the deceased, saying, "We must now meet in our memories the national father who felt like he would stay by our side forever."

It is known that on October 20, nine days before Choi passed away, Cardinal Andrew Yeom Soo-jung visited his hospital room and administered the Sacrament of the Anointing of the Sick.

The Sacrament of the Anointing of the Sick is a Catholic rite praying for the spiritual healing and salvation of sick or gravely ill believers.

Choi received Catholic baptism eight years ago officiated by Cardinal Yeom, and personally chose his baptismal name as "Francesco," after the saint who served those in need.

Cardinal Yeom is also scheduled to officiate the funeral mass for the deceased on November 2.

The funeral will be held as a ChildFund Korea funeral, honoring the wishes of the deceased who dedicated himself to children and adolescents.

The funeral procession is scheduled for 7:00 AM on November 2.

Reported by Choi Jae-yeong | Video by Kihyun | Graphics by Sumin | Produced by SBS Digital News
※ Please note: This article was translated by AI and may contain errors.