The government announced on October 30 that it has awarded the late actor Choi Bul-am, who passed away on October 29 at the age of 87, the Golden Crown Cultural Medal. Minister of Culture, Sports and Tourism Choi Hwi-young presented the medal to the actor's family and paid tribute to his legacy.
The Cultural Medal is awarded to individuals who have made significant contributions to the advancement of culture and arts, enhancing national culture and development.
Choi Bul-am debuted in 1959 with the play 'Hamlet' and remained a beloved figure for 67 years, spanning theater, drama, film, and variety shows. He is recognized for his role as Chief Park Young-han in the iconic detective series 'Investigation Team,' where he served for 18 years, and as Chairman Kim in the long-running drama 'Country Diary,' where he acted for 22 years, helping to shape the growth of Korean television drama. Known for portraying the relatable and human image of the Korean father, he was cherished across generations as a 'national actor.' From 2011, he hosted 'Korean People's Table' for 14 years, sharing stories of food and life from across the country.
Beyond the stage, Choi worked to spread positive influence through culture and arts. Since 1985, he has led the Green Umbrella Children's Foundation's national sponsorship committee, advocating for children both domestically and internationally. As the chairman of the Zero Camp Foundation, he supported the independence and social adaptation of out-of-school youth through cultural and arts education. In 2014, he received the Silver Crown Cultural Medal in recognition of his contributions to the development of popular culture and arts.
* This article has been translated by AI.
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