[Edaily Reporter Gim Ga Yeong ] The funeral hall for the late Choi Bul-am (real name Choi Young-han) was not initially open to the public in accordance with the bereaved family’s wishes, but it was belatedly opened after the family changed their minds. The Gold Crown Order of Cultural Merit, posthumously awarded to the deceased, was placed in front of his portrait.

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was set up on the 30th at the funeral hall of Seoul Asan Hospital in Songpa-gu, Seoul. When the altar was first prepared, the family stated they would not allow the public to view the interior, and it remained closed to the public. However, later that afternoon, the family decided to open the memorial altar to the public.
The Gold Crown Order of Cultural Merit was placed in front of the portrait, which seemed as if it might burst into his signature “Pa-ha” laugh at any moment. The government posthumously awarded the Order of Cultural Merit to honor the late actor’s contributions to the development of Korean popular culture and the arts. The Order of Cultural Merit is awarded to individuals who have made outstanding contributions to the development of culture and the arts, thereby enhancing national culture and contributing to national development.
The late actor made his debut in 1959 with the play *Hamlet* and, over the course of 67 years, brought warmth, comfort, and inspiration across diverse fields, including theater, television dramas, films, and educational programs. Offstage, he strove to spread a positive influence throughout society through culture and the arts. Starting in 1985, he served as the National Chairman of the Green Umbrella Children’s Foundation, taking the lead in supporting children both domestically and internationally. As Chairman of the Board of Zero Camp, an incorporated association, he helped out-of-school youth achieve self-reliance and adapt to society through arts and culture education. In 2014, he was awarded the Silver Crown Order of Cultural Merit in recognition of his contributions to the development of popular culture and the arts.
Choi Hwi-young, Minister of Culture, Sports and Tourism, presented the medal to the bereaved family on the 30th on behalf of the government.
The late Choi Bul-am passed away around 10:00 p.m. on the 29th while undergoing treatment at a hospital in Gangseo-gu, Seoul. He had undergone surgery for a herniated disc in March of last year and was undergoing rehabilitation, but it is reported that his health recently deteriorated, leading to his passing.
Upon hearing the news of the passing of the late actor, who was known as the “People’s Actor” and “Father of the Nation,” President Lee Jae-myung, along with Democratic Party of Korea Chairman Kim Min-seok, People Power Party Spokesperson Cho Yong-sul, and National Assembly Speaker Cho Jung-sik, expressed their condolences. Condolence visits are also continuing from Minister of Culture, Sports and Tourism Choi Hwi-young, former Minister of Culture, Sports and Tourism Yoo In-chon, and actors Kim Hye-ja, Yoon Yeo-jeong, Na Moon-hee, and Cha In-pyo.
The wake for the late actor has been set up at the Seoul Asan Hospital Funeral Home in Songpa-gu. The funeral will be conducted by the Green Umbrella Children’s Foundation, and the funeral procession will depart at 7:40 a.m. on the 2nd of next month.