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![[Seoul=NEWSIS] Reporter Kim Hye-jin = Choi Hui-young, Minister of Culture, Sports and Tourism, delivers a congratulatory speech at the 17th Korea Popular Culture and Arts Awards ceremony held on the 29th at the National Theater in Jung-gu, Seoul. The Popular Culture and Arts Awards, now in its 17th year, is the government's highest honor in the field of popular culture and arts, established to elevate the social status and creative enthusiasm of popular culture and arts figures and to commemorate their contributions to the development of the popular culture and arts industry. October 29, 2026. jini@newsis.com /Photo=Kim Hye-jin](https://image.starnewskorea.com/cdn-cgi/image/f=avif,w=1200/21/2026/10/2026103016395453386_1.jpg)
Choi Hui-young, Minister of Culture, Sports and Tourism, visited the wake of the late actor Choi Bul-am to express condolences.
On the 30th, a wake for Choi Bul-am was set up in Room 20 of the funeral hall at Seoul Asan Hospital in Songpa-gu, Seoul. The bereaved family listed included his wife Kim Min-ja, his sons Dong-nyeol and Dong-bi, as well as other family members.
Choi Hui-young, Minister of Culture, Sports and Tourism, also visited the wake on this day. When asked about his personal connection with the late actor during his lifetime, Minister Choi said, "Even when I visited him four months ago, he greeted me warmly with a bright smile. It is truly heartbreaking." He added, "I believe that Mr. Choi Gyu-hwan, who was always by the side of the people, will be remembered in our hearts for a long time to come."
He further stated, "He told me we would have a drink together after he was discharged from the hospital, so I had been looking forward to that day. It is regrettable that he passed away so suddenly. I just offered him a drink and left."
The Gold Medal of Cultural Merit was presented to the late Choi Bul-am. Regarding this, Minister Choi said, "I think everyone's hearts will feel empty today. That is because the late actor left us with truly so much." He explained, "He was someone who deservedly should have received the medal, so I presented it on behalf of the people."
Minister Choi also added, "Everything feels regrettable and heartbreaking in this situation. With those feelings in mind, I conveyed words of comfort to the bereaved family."
Meanwhile, Choi Bul-am passed away around 10 p.m. on the 29th while receiving inpatient treatment at a hospital in Gangseo-gu, Seoul.
The late actor's funeral will be held at 7 a.m. on November 2. Subsequently, a funeral mass will be conducted at Yeouido Cathedral in Yeongdeungpo-gu, Seoul, presided over by Cardinal Nham Soo-jeong. The burial site is Donghwa Gyeongmo Park in Paju, Gyeonggi Province.
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*This content was translated by AI.View Original
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