[Edaily Reporter YUN GI BACK ] Actor Choi Bul-am, known as the “Father of the Nation,” portrayed a wide range of characters in Korean society for over half a century—from a righteous detective to a rural family patriarch and even a president. The characters he portrayed were closely intertwined with the changes in modern Korean history. The late actor, who passed away on the 29th, left a profound mark on Korean popular culture—extending far beyond the small screen—during his 67-year acting career.

Choi Bul-am garnered attention from a young age for his age-defying performances. In 1967, in the drama “Prince Suyang,” he played the elderly Kim Jong-seo while still in his 20s, and at age 30, he took on the role of an elderly man in MBC’s “Headwind.” In his 40s, he demonstrated his wide-ranging acting skills by portraying former President Syngman Rhee, then in his 80s, in “The First Republic” and “The Second Republic.”
In his signature work, “Chief of Detectives,” he played Chief Park Young-han for 18 years. His portrayal of a detective who stood up against injustice without losing his humanity became the archetype for Korean investigative dramas. In 2024, he made a special appearance in the prequel “Chief of Detectives 1958,” creating a scene that bridged the generations with younger actors.
In *The Diary of a Country Family*, he embodied Chairman Kim for 22 years. Acting alongside Kim Hye-ja as a married couple for so many years, their chemistry was so natural that they were often mistaken for a real-life couple. His portrayal of a man protecting his family and neighbors amid rapid industrialization became a symbol of the “father figure” cherished by Korean society.
He also left his mark on the silver screen and the stage. He appeared in numerous films, including *Young-ja’s Golden Age*, *Wangsimni*, and *Our Joyful Youth*, and in 2018, he returned to the theater stage for the first time in 25 years. In recognition of his contributions as an actor, he was awarded the Order of Cultural Merit, Silver Crown, in 2014.
His life outside of acting was also extraordinary. In 1992, at the urging of Chung Ju-yung, Honorary Chairman of the Hyundai Group, he entered politics and served as a member of the 14th National Assembly; he also devoted himself to social contribution activities for children and youth.
Above all, Choi Bul-am was an actor who embodied the image of an adult that his era demanded. From authoritative figures to ordinary neighbors, the countless characters he portrayed captured the joys, sorrows, loves, and hates of Korean society. This is why his 67-year acting career will be remembered not merely as the resume of an actor, but as a record of an entire era.