President Lee: "The late Choi Bul-am, the father of our era… Please rest in peace" [Star Issue]

*This content was translated by AI.View Original

President Lee Jae-myung expressed deep condolences on the passing of the late Choi Bul-am.

On the 30th, President Lee posted a lengthy message on his official social media account, stating, "May the soul of Mr. Choi Bul-am, the father of our era, rest in peace."

On that day, President Lee stated, "I express my deepest condolences on the passing of national actor Mr. Choi Bul-am. A teacher who started on the theater stage and has been loved by the people for many years as Detective Park Young-han in 'Detective Squad' and Chairman Kim in 'Country Diary.' The image of a teacher who stood by us as a detective upholding justice and a warm, familiar father will remain in the hearts of the people for a long time."

He continued, "Just as he said, 'To become a good actor, one must first become a good person,' Mr. Choi showed a warm heart toward people and the world beyond acting. We will deeply engrave in our minds his intention to look into the shadows of society and care for the pain of those in difficult circumstances."

President Lee reflected, "The gentle voice and hearty laughter of the characters you portrayed are still vivid in our memories. We will remember Mr. Choi, who has stood by the people for many years as the father of our era. Teacher, please rest in peace."

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

The late man's wake is being held at the Asan Medical Center funeral hall in Seoul, and it will open to the general public from 10 a.m. on the 30th.

Choi Bul-am's deteriorating health began with a lumbar disc surgery in March of last year. At the time, as his mobility became impaired, he stepped down from "Korean Table," a KBS 1TV documentary program that had been airing for 14 years since 2011. It is known that although he subsequently devoted himself to rehabilitation, his health rapidly worsened.

Born in 1939, Choi Bul-am debuted in the play "Hamlet" with the theater troupe "Experimental Theater Association" in 1959 and began his full-fledged acting career as a member of the National Theater Company in 1965.

His entry into television drama came when he was selected as a special-recruitment sixth-class talent for Seoul Central Broadcasting (now KBS) in 1967. He established himself as a "national actor" by taking on roles such as the elderly Kim Jong-seo in the drama "Prince Suyang," Detective Park Young-han in MBC's "Detective Squad," Chairman Kim in "Country Diary," Captain Park in "You and Me," and former President Syngman Rhee in "The First Republic" and "The Second Republic."

In May of last year, the MBC documentary "Paha, I Am Choi Bul-am," which captured Choi Bul-am's acting career of over 60 years, was released in two parts. Although it was initially reported that Choi Bul-am would appear in the documentary, he did not stand before the camera at the request of his family, who wanted him to focus on rehabilitation treatment.

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*This content was translated by AI.View Original