[Edaily Reporter Gim Ga Yeong ] Another star has fallen. National actor Choi Bul-am, who made the public laugh and cry through his acting career spanning 67 years, has passed away at the age of 87.

According to the broadcasting industry on the 30th, Choi Bul-am passed away around 10 p.m. on the 29th while undergoing treatment at a hospital in Gangseo-gu, Seoul. He had undergone surgery for a herniated disc last March and was undergoing rehabilitation, but it is reported that his health recently deteriorated, leading to his passing.
The late actor made his debut in 1959 with the play “Hamlet” and went on to win the hearts of the public through MBC productions such as “Chief of Detectives” and “Country Diary.” “Chief of Detectives” set a record-breaking viewership rating of 70 percent, and in that series, the late actor played the role of Chief Park Young-han, leading the drama. “Country Diary” aired for a staggering 22 years and is considered South Korea’s longest-running drama. The late actor played Chairman Kim of Yangchon-ri, the central figure of the series, and became a symbol of a good elder and a good father; as a result, a wave of public mourning continues following the news of his passing.
With the consecutive passing of beloved national actors—including the late Lee Soon-jae on November 25 of last year and the late Ahn Sung-ki on January 5 of this year—the public’s shock and sorrow are growing.
The late Lee Soon-jae was beloved for his approachable image, appearing not only in popular dramas that achieved high ratings—such as MBC’s *What Is Love?*, KBS2’s *The Men of the Bathhouse*, and MBC’s *Hur Jun*—but also in the MBC sitcom *High Kick Through the Roof* and tvN’s *Grandpas Over Flowers*.
The late Ahn Sung-ki not only starred in numerous films, including “Two Cops,” “No Mercy,” and “Radio Star,” but also dedicated his life to the advancement of Korean cinema.
As news of the passing of these national actors, who defined their eras, spreads, the public’s sense of loss is growing.
The wake for the late actor has been set up at the Seoul Asan Hospital Funeral Home and will receive mourners starting at 10 a.m. today. The funeral will be conducted by the Green Umbrella Children’s Foundation.