Choi Bool-am, the beloved actor known as the 'National Father,' passed away on the night of October 29 at a hospital in Gangseo District, Seoul, at the age of 87.
On October 30, Yonhap News reported that KBS aired a special documentary titled 'Warm Elder, Choi Bool-am - You Were the Path,' highlighting his life and acting career. The documentary also covered his 14-year journey with the program 'Korean Table.'
In the documentary, Choi emphasized the 'middle way' philosophy of life. He described his ongoing work on 'Korean Table' as 'our life,' stating, 'How happy it is when food is delicious. Other media have many eating programs, but they all aim to make people happy. Even without eating, just thinking about it brings saliva and smiles.'
Reflecting on his past performances, he noted, 'I can't remember everything due to my limited abilities, but many wonderful scenes remain in my memory. I want to do it again.' When asked about his dreams, he replied, 'If you have no dreams, you die. I have dreams, like acting well and winning awards or becoming famous worldwide. Those are all dreams, and while they can be realized, there are many things I am holding back.'
When questioned about happiness and justice, he emphasized, 'Happiness is something you feel. If you think, 'This is good,' then you are happy.' He added that happiness is something everyone shares, saying, 'Happiness is a state without discomfort or unease. If there is no uncomfortable or anxious heart, that is happiness. I cannot be happy alone; everyone must be happy together.'
On the same day, MBC re-aired the first part of the two-part documentary 'Paha, This is Choi Bool-am,' which originally aired in May. The production team noted that in 2025, while already battling illness, Choi personally called them to request a program to reflect on his life. This documentary was broadcast in May of this year in honor of his wishes.
Choi underwent surgery for a herniated disc in March of last year, which led to difficulties in mobility, prompting his departure from 'Korean Table.' He had been focusing on rehabilitation but recently experienced a rapid decline in health.
The funeral will be held on November 2 at 7:40 a.m. Following the service, a funeral mass will be conducted at 9 a.m. at Yeouido St. Mary's Cathedral, presided over by Cardinal Andrew Yeom Soo-jung, before proceeding to the Green Umbrella Children's Foundation at 10:40 a.m. The burial site will be Donghwa Gyeongmo Park.
* This article has been translated by AI.
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