'Nation's Father' Passes Away... "May He Rest in Eternal Peace"

[Anchor]

The funeral and funeral mass for the late veteran actor Choi Bul-am, long beloved as the "nation's father," were held today (Nov. 2). Many fellow actors and citizens gathered to bid their final farewells.

Reporter Kim Gyeong-hui has the details.

[Reporter]

The funeral procession for the late actor Choi Bul-am, who was cherished as a righteous chief investigator and a quintessential father of our time, was held privately this morning.

A funeral mass followed at 9 a.m. today at the Yoido Catholic Church in Seoul.

Cardinal Andrew Yeom Soo-jung, who had baptized the deceased, presided over the service.

[Andrew Yeom Soo-jung / Cardinal: May the soul of the late Francis Choi Bul-am enjoy eternal rest in the kingdom of God, Amen.]

Popera tenor Lim Hyung-joo, who maintained a close relationship with the late actor during his lifetime, sang "Ave Maria" to send him off on his final journey.

Actor Kim Hye-soo, who stayed by the mortuary for all three days, along with former Minister Yoo In-chon, and actors Shin Hyun-joon and Jung준호 (Jung Jun-ho), attended the funeral and the funeral mass to accompany the deceased on his final path.

After the mass, the funeral procession headed to the ChildFund Korea in Mugyo-dong, Seoul, an organization the deceased had supported for over 40 years.

It was reported that this followed the late actor's wish to visit the foundation after his death.

After bidding a final farewell to the foundation's staff, the late actor was laid to rest at a burial site prepared in Paju.

Debuting in 1959, the late actor received nationwide affection by playing Chief Inspector Park in "Chief Inspector" for 18 years and 7 months, and Chairman Kim in "Country Diaries" for 22 years.

After remaining active in film, theater, and television, he underwent surgery for a herniated lumbar disc in March of last year but ultimately failed to recover, passing away on October 29 at the age of 87.

In recognition of his 67 years of service alongside the public, the government posthumously awarded him the Geumgwan Order of Cultural Merit the day after his passing.

Though the deceased has now left us, his aspiration to live as a father of our era and a true adult will remain by our side for a long time.

(Video by Choi Dae-woong | Video Editing by So Ji-hye)
※ Please note: This article was translated by AI and may contain errors.