[Edaily Reporter Gim Ga Yeong ] A funeral Mass for the late actor Choi Bul-am (Choi Young-han, aged 87) was held, presided over by Cardinal Yeom Soo-jeong. Popera tenor Im Hyung-ju, who had a special relationship with the deceased, bid him farewell with a performance of “Ave Maria.”

On the morning of the 2nd, a funeral Mass for the late actor was solemnly held at Yeouido Cathedral in Yeongdeungpo-gu, Seoul, presided over by Cardinal Yeom Soo-jeong. Attendees at the Mass included Choi Ho-young, Minister of Culture, Sports and Tourism (MCST); Yoo In-chon, former MCST Minister; and actors Kim Hye-soo, Kang Seok-woo, Jung Joon-ho, Shin Hyun-joon, Song Il-gook, Kim Kyung-ran, and comedian Lee Yong-sik.
Cardinal Yeom Su-jeong prayed, “The deceased was not only someone who healed physical ailments but also a true family member who comforted the hearts of the marginalized and suffering with boundless love,” adding, “The love for others that the deceased left behind will remain in the hearts of those who received long-term care, and the spirit of sacrifice and service that he cherished until the very end will become a legacy of hope that allows us to live without losing hope, even in this harsh and unforgiving world.”
Hwang Young-ki, President of Green Umbrella, said in his farewell address, “Not long ago, I visited the Honorary Chairperson while she was bedridden. I told him that, in accordance with his wishes and the words of his bereaved family, we would care for him with the utmost devotion until the very end, and he nodded in agreement,” he said, recalling his final farewell to the deceased. “Ever since taking on the role of National Chairman of the Supporters’ Association in 1985, he led by example to encourage more adults to form bonds with children in need. He personally visited Korean communities in the U.S. and Europe to rally their support, and he showed deep affection even for children in distant lands such as Ethiopia, Uganda, Kenya, and other distant lands. Carrying on the legacy he left behind, we, too, will always stand by the children’s side,” he stated.
Popera tenor Im Hyung-ju, who had always called the deceased “Uncle” and maintained a special bond with him, sang “Ave Maria” as a tribute. Even while singing, he appeared to be struggling to hold back his emotions.
Following the funeral Mass at Yeouido Cathedral, the deceased will be taken to the Green Umbrella headquarters—where he served as national chairman for 41 years—to pay his final respects. He will then be laid to rest at Donghwa Memorial Park.
The deceased passed away around 10:00 p.m. on the 29th of last month while undergoing inpatient treatment at a hospital in Gangseo-gu, Seoul. It is reported that although he had undergone surgery for a herniated disc last March and was undergoing rehabilitation, his health recently deteriorated, leading to his passing.
The wake for the deceased, held at the Seoul Asan Medical Center funeral home, was attended by actors Kim Hye-ja, Go Doo-shim, Yoon Yeo-jeong, Na Moon-hee, and Kim Hye-soo, as well as Minister of Culture, Sports and Tourism Choi Hwi-young, former Minister of Culture, Sports and Tourism Yoo In-chun, former Prime Minister Lee Nak-yon, former People Power Party Emergency Committee Chairman Kim Jong-in, People Power Party Representative Na Kyung-won, Hyundai Motor Group Chairman Chung Eui-sun, Booyoung Group Chairman Lee Joong-geun, Asan Social Welfare Foundation Chairman Chung Mong-joon, and baseball player Park Chan-ho.