[Edaily Reporter Choi Hee-jae ] Condolences from figures across various sectors continue to pour in following the news of the late Choi Bul-am’s passing. Junior actors, as well as figures from the political and cultural spheres, visited the funeral hall to pay their respects to the “national actor,” who had long brought comfort and inspiration to television audiences.

The late Choi Bul-am passed away around 10 p.m. on the 29th while undergoing treatment at a hospital in Gangseo-gu, Seoul. He was 87 years old.

On the 30th, the wake held at the Seoul Asan Hospital funeral hall in Songpa-gu, Seoul, was attended by former Minister of Culture, Sports and Tourism Yoo In-chon, as well as actors Na Moon-hee, Kim Sung-hwan, Gil Yong-woo, the married couple Lee Cheon-hee and Jeon Hye-jin, Park Eun-soo, Sunwoo Yong-yeo, Cha In-pyo, Park Eun-soo, Kim Hye-soo, Kang Seok-woo, Im Hyun-sik, Lee Bo-hee, TV personality Kim Kyung-ran, singer Jin Sung, hanbok designer Park Sul-nyeo, film director Bae Chang-ho, and musician Ryu Bok-sung, among others, to pay their respects to the deceased. Political figures also paid their respects, including Kim Min-seok, leader of the Democratic Party of Korea; former Prime Minister Kim Bu-gyeom; Democratic Party lawmakers Song Young-gil and Han Jeong-ae; and Seoul Mayor Oh Se-hoon.

The funeral hall was also adorned with wreaths sent by Go Doo-shim, Choi Ju-bong, Jung Joon-ho, Kim Hye-soo, Jeon Do-yeon, Song Hye-kyo, Han Ji-min, Shim Eun-kyung, Shin Hyun-joon, Lee Sang-byeok, Park Eun-soo, the married couple Choi Soo-jong and Ha Hee-ra, Im Ho, the married couple Choi Min-soo and Kang Ju-eun, BTS’s J-Hope, and KBS President Park Jang-beom.

The first to visit the funeral hall was Yoo In-chun, former Minister of Culture, Sports and Tourism, who had co-starred with the deceased in the dramas *Gangnam Family* and *Country Diary*. “He always called me ‘Father,’ even in everyday life,” said former Minister Yoo, expressing his sorrow: “Everyone on the *Country Diary* set lived as if we were family, but he passed away so suddenly.”

Actress Na Moon-hee paid tribute to the deceased, saying, “He was our pride and joy, so it’s very sad that he left us so soon,” and added, “Farewell.” She continued, “I have so many memories (with Choi Bul-am). I will cherish those memories dearly.”

Hanbok designer Park Sul-nyeo revealed that she had prepared the deceased’s burial garments. “About three weeks ago, his wife asked me to prepare them,” she said. “I rushed over today to deliver the mourning attire,” and she offered her condolences, saying, “I hope he rests in peace in heaven.”

Film director Bae Chang-ho said, “I was shocked by the news of his sudden passing,” describing the late actor as “our actor, a great actor.”

Junior actors also took time to pay their respects, recalling their connections with the late actor. Kim Hye-soo left the memorial hall wiping away tears with her eyes swollen from crying. She is reported to have quietly visited the funeral hall earlier that morning.

Cha In-pyo said, “I grew up watching ‘Chief of Detectives’ and ‘Country Diary’ as a child,” adding, “He never treated us junior actors—even those much younger than him—as mere juniors, but treated us as equals, respecting us as individuals.”

Park Eun-soo, who worked alongside the late actor for many years playing the role of Il-yong in *Country Diary*, recalled him as “someone like an older brother.” He then choked up, saying, “It’s so heartbreaking to have lost such a great actor.”

Kang Seok-woo remembered the late actor, saying, “As a national actor, he had a profound influence on us and was deeply loved by the public.”

Tributes to the late actor also poured in from the political sphere. Kim Min-seok, leader of the Democratic Party of Korea, recalled his special connection with the late actor. Leader Kim entered the National Assembly after competing against the late actor in the 15th general election in 1996.

Reflecting on that time, Chairman Kim said, “Throughout the entire election campaign, he always treated me so warmly that I never once thought of him as a rival.” He added, “He did a great deal of work for young people. I will do my part to ensure his legacy continues and that his efforts lead to even greater success.”

The government posthumously awarded the Gold Crown Order of Cultural Merit to honor the late Mr. Choi’s contributions to the development of culture and the arts. Minister of Culture, Sports and Tourism Choi Hwi-young visited the funeral hall at Seoul Asan Hospital that day and presented the medal to the bereaved family on behalf of the government.

The Order of Cultural Merit is awarded to individuals who have made outstanding contributions to the development of culture and the arts and to the public’s enjoyment of culture. The Gold Crown Order of Cultural Merit is the highest rank within this order. The late Mr. Choi had previously received the Silver Crown Order of Cultural Merit in 2014.

Minister Choi said, “Just a few months ago, when I visited him, he welcomed me with a bright smile, so this is truly heartbreaking.” He added, “He told me, ‘Let’s have a drink once I’m discharged,’ so I had been looking forward to that day, but just a moment ago, I poured him a drink as an offering and left.” He continued, “He left behind so many great achievements for all of us,” adding, “This is an honor he certainly deserved. I presented it on behalf of the people.”

Seoul Mayor Oh Se-hoon also visited the memorial hall that evening. Mayor Oh said, “I’ve served as mayor of Seoul for a long time, but Mr. Choi was already serving as a Seoul City goodwill ambassador in 2006, the year I became mayor,” noting that he had received a great deal of help from him. He added, “He served as chairman of the steering committee for the ongoing Nodul Island and Han River Art Island projects, devoting a great deal of attention and affection to them,” and remarked, “Now that the project is nearing completion, it is bittersweet that he will not be able to see it reach a conclusion that is beloved by so many citizens.”

Mayor Oh also remarked, “He was truly a ‘Father of the Nation’ and a ‘Uncle of the Nation,’ deeply respected and loved by the public,” adding, “I feel a great sense of emptiness as we bid farewell to him.”

Born in Incheon in 1939, the late actor made his debut in 1959 with the play *Hamlet*. He joined the National Theater Company of Korea in 1965 and made his television debut in 1967 after being selected as a specially recruited talent by Seoul Central Broadcasting (now KBS).

His most notable works were the dramas *Chief of Detectives* and *Country Diary*. He played the role of Chief Park Young-han in *Chief of Detectives*, which began in 1971, for 18 years, and in *Country Diary*, he starred alongside Kim Hye-ja as her husband, playing the role of Chairman Kim for 22 years.

The late Choi Bul-am was dedicated not only to his acting career but also to child welfare and social contributions. After being appointed as the National Chairman of the Green Umbrella Children’s Foundation in 1985, he spearheaded efforts to help children in need both domestically and internationally for 41 years.

The funeral will be held under the auspices of the Green Umbrella Children’s Foundation, with Hwang Young-ki, President of Green Umbrella, serving as chairman of the funeral committee. Former Prime Ministers Lee Soo-sung and Lee Nak-yeon, former National Assembly member Hong Moon-jong, Father Kim Seong-eun, Han Il-su, Secretary-General of the National Assembly Legislative Policy Research Association, Yang Ok-kyung, CEO of Green Umbrella, and executives of the Green Umbrella National Supporters’ Association will serve as members of the funeral committee.

The wake for the deceased has been set up in Room 20 of the Seoul Asan Hospital Funeral Home. The funeral procession will depart at 7:40 a.m. on November 2, and the burial will take place at Donghwa Memorial Park.