Song Il-gook Carries the Portrait of the Late Choi Bul-am at a Tearful Farewell Ceremony… Kim Kyung-ran Breaks Down in Sobs, Citizens Also Pay Their Last Respects [Star Scene] [Comprehensive Report]

*This content was translated by AI.View Original

The late Choi Bul-am departed on his final journey amid the tears of employees and staff from the Green Umbrella Children's Foundation, with whom he had maintained a bond for more than 45 years.

A farewell ceremony was held on the 2nd at the headquarters of the Green Umbrella Children's Foundation in Jung District, Seoul, where attendees bid their final goodbye to the late Choi Bul-am.

Choi Bul-am served as the honorary chairman of the Green Umbrella Children's Foundation, continuing his talent donation and sharing activities for children in difficult circumstances for over 45 years.

The event was attended by approximately 300 employees and staff from the Green Umbrella Children's Foundation, along with ambassadors including comedian Lee Hong-ryeol, actor Song Il-gook, broadcaster Kim Kyung-ran, and Andy of the group Shinhwa. Citizens passing by also stopped to watch the farewell ceremony and convey their final respects to the deceased.

Around 11:06 a.m., as the hearse carrying the deceased arrived, Song Il-gook entered while holding the portrait. The employees and staff received the portrait in a solemn atmosphere and observed a moment of silence. Some staff members were seen shedding tears as they gazed at the portrait.

Team Leader Kim Sun-hee of the Green Umbrella Children's Foundation, who delivered the eulogy, reflected on the 45th years spent with the deceased, recalling that he was "a person who always treated us with a gentle tone and a kind smile, and who was always willing to join in efforts for children."

Team Leader Kim shared stories the late chairman had told during his lifetime, conveying his words: "Is it not because large trees around them stand firm that young saplings can take root while enduring storms and typhoons? Should we not also become adults who stand firmly by the side of children in the same way?"

She continued, "The chairman showed us through his life that one only becomes a true adult when protecting others," adding, "Now, we will take over the role of those great trees. We pledge to help ensure that children in difficult circumstances do not give up on their dreams."

In particular, Team Leader Kim shed tears throughout the reading of the eulogy and struggled to keep her words together. She conveyed her final message, saying, "We are sincerely grateful for having watched over the children and been with us for the past 45 years," adding, "We will long remember the love and warm heart toward children that the chairman demonstrated personally."

Subsequently, officials from the foundation and its ambassadors paid their respects by laying flowers in memory of the deceased. Lee Hong-ryeol, Song Il-gook, Kim Kyung-ran, Andy, and others could not hide their grief, breaking down in sobs as they laid flowers.

After the farewell ceremony, the hearse carrying the deceased, having been seen off by employees, ambassadors, and citizens, headed to the cemetery. The remains of the late Choi Bul-am are scheduled to be interred at Donghwa Memorial Park in Paju City, Gyeonggi Province.

Meanwhile, the late Choi Bul-am passed away around 10:00 p.m. on the 29th of last month while receiving inpatient treatment at a hospital in Gangseo District, Seoul. He was 87 years old.

The deceased had stepped down from "Korean Table," a KBS 1TV documentary program he had hosted for 14 years since 2011, after his mobility became impaired due to a herniated disc last year. It is reported that although he had been focusing on rehabilitation, his health deteriorated rapidly recently.

The late Choi Bul-am debuted in the play "Hamlet" in 1959 and gained great love as a "national actor" through roles such as the righteous Detective Sergeant Park Young-han in the MBC drama "Detective Squad" and Chairman Kim of Yangchon-ri in "Country Diary."

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*This content was translated by AI.View Original