Late actor Choi Bul-am: 45 years of good deeds began after adopting Geum-dong in "Rural Diary," yet he found praise a burden

*This content was translated by AI.View Original

At the funeral Mass for the late Choi Bul-am, the chairman of Green Umbrella recalled his final farewell with the deceased and mourned a life dedicated to sharing.

On the 2nd, the funeral Mass for the late Choi Bul-am was held at Yeouido Cathedral in Yeongdeungpo-gu, Seoul, presided over by Cardinal Nham Soo-jeong.

At the funeral Mass that day, popera tenor Im Hyeong-ju sang "Ave Maria" to see off the deceased on his final journey.

Following this, the chairman of Green Umbrella delivered a farewell address, opening with, "We offer our farewell in the name of all children who grew up under the love of our eternal national father, Chairman Choi Bul-am, Francis."

Recalling the time when the deceased was bedridden, he stated, "I visited Chairman Choi while he was in his sickbed. I told him that, in accordance with his usual wishes and the family's instructions, we would care for him diligently until the end. He nodded in response."

He added, "It was a brief but deeply trusting final farewell," expressing, "I cannot contain my deep sorrow and grief at having to bid goodbye to the great elder who stood by children's side his entire life."

He also looked back on the deceased's lifelong commitment to sharing. He said, "On October 30 last year, the government posthumously awarded Chairman Choi the Gold Medal of Cultural Merit. It was the nation's final expression of gratitude for a life loved by all citizens," adding, "The people remember him as their national father. He was also someone who shared the love he received from the people with society."

In particular, he introduced how Choi Bul-am first became connected with Green Umbrella, drawing attention.

The chairman of Green Umbrella noted, "Chairman Choi, who lost his father at a young age, said that he learned about the role of a father through 'Rural Diary,'" adding, "However, he did not stop at merely acting out a father's life."

He explained, "In 1981, when Geum-dong was taken into the family in 'Rural Diary,' he received many letters of praise and encouragement," continuing, "He said that although he was only acting out a story written by an author, it felt burdensome to be praised as if he had done something good himself."

He emphasized, "Therefore, he wanted to help children who actually needed assistance, and his connection with the Green Umbrella Children's Foundation, which has continued for nearly half a century, began that way," adding, "He carried over the image of a good elder he portrayed in acting into his real life."

His dedication to juvenile detainees was also mentioned. He stated, "From 2012 for 14 years, he taught theater and musicals to adolescents at Gimcheon Juvenile Correctional Facility, encouraging their reintegration into society," adding, "He established the non-profit corporation Zero Camp, demonstrating that the power of empathy and support in our society is stronger than punishment."

He expressed his longing, saying, "It is hard to believe that I can no longer face the warm voice and kind smile of someone who said that giving hope to children is the role of adults."

Finally, he conveyed a last farewell: "Chairman Choi Bul-am, thank you so much for everything. We will carry on your legacy and always stand by the side of children."

Meanwhile, Choi Bul-am passed away on the 29th of last month at the age of 87. Following his departure from the wake that morning, the late actor had a funeral Mass at Yeouido Cathedral and is scheduled to be buried at Donghwa Memorial Park in Paju, Gyeonggi Province.

<© STARNEWS. All rights reserved. No reproduction or redistribution allowed.>

*This content was translated by AI.View Original