Former Culture Minister Yoo In-chon: "The late Choi Bul-am told me we would meet soon… He was like a father to me" [Star Scene]

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Former Minister of Culture, Sports and Tourism Yoo In-chon visited the funeral home of actor Choi Bul-am (real name Choi Yeong-han) to express his condolences.

Choi Bul-am's funeral home was set up in Room 20 at Asan Medical Center in Songpa-gu, Seoul, at 10 a.m. on the 30th. The bereaved family listed included his wife Kim Min-ja, sons Dong-nyeol and Dong-bi, and other family members. The funeral is being held under the auspices of the Green Umbrella Children's Foundation. It is being discussed that Hwang Young-gi, chairman of Green Umbrella, will serve as the head of the funeral committee, with former Prime Ministers Lee Soo-seong and Lee Nak-yeon participating as committee members.

On this day, former Minister Yoo was among the first to visit the funeral home, staying for about an hour to mourn the deceased. Former Minister Yoo could not hide his grief as he said, "In my very first acting debut work, Mr. Choi Bul-am played the role of a father. Because he played the role of a father for 22 years in 'A Family of Five,' he is family to me, and I usually called him 'father.'"

He continued, "The entire 'A Family of Five' family (actors and staff) share the same feelings." He added, "I had not been able to see him for a few months. The master said, 'Let's meet when I get a bit better, we can meet,' but in the end, I received the news of his passing, which is regrettable and painful."

Former Minister Yoo conveyed, "These days are the era of living to be 100, aren't they? He was someone who could provide complete positive influence, so it is truly sad. I wished he could offer comfort through more programs, but his departure is painful. But what can we do? I hope he rests in peace. He will probably be looking down from heaven to see if the juniors are doing well."

He added, "Just like the epithet 'National Father,' when I was just starting my career, the master told me, 'Happiness is not far away. Open the window and happiness is there.' That still remains in my memory. I think he will likely remain in the public's mind with that image, as an image of happiness."

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

Debuting in the play 'Hamlet' in 1959, Choi Bul-am was loved as a national actor for his roles such as the righteous Captain Park Yeong-han in the MBC drama 'Susa Banjang' and Chairman Kim of Yangchon-ri in 'A Family of Five.'

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*This content was translated by AI.View Original