Choi Bool-am, a beloved actor known as the 'National Father' in South Korea, has passed away at the age of 87.
According to the broadcasting industry, Choi died on the evening of October 29 at a hospital in Gangseo-gu, Seoul, where he was receiving treatment.
Choi had undergone surgery for a herniated disc in March of last year, which left him with mobility issues. He stepped down from KBS 1TV's cultural program 'Korean Table,' which he had hosted for 14 years, in 2011. Although he focused on rehabilitation, his health reportedly deteriorated rapidly in recent weeks.
Born in Incheon in 1939 (officially registered in 1940), Choi graduated from Seoul Central High School and the Theater and Film Departments of Seorabeol University and Hanyang University. He began his acting career in 1959 with a performance in the play 'Hamlet' by the Experimental Theater Company. In 1965, he expanded his career by joining the National Theater Company and was selected as a talent for Seoul Central Broadcasting (now KBS) in 1967. He made his television debut in the drama 'Suyangdaegun,' playing the elderly Kim Jong-seo at the age of 20.
Choi's most notable works include MBC's 'Investigation Team' and 'Four Seasons Diary.' He portrayed Captain Park in 'Investigation Team,' which first aired in 1971 and ran for 18 years, becoming a cornerstone of Korean crime dramas. In addition, he played Chairman Kim in 'Four Seasons Diary,' which aired for 22 years starting in 1980, depicting a strict yet warm family man and solidifying his status as a national actor. He also gained widespread popularity for his role as Captain Park in MBC's 'You and I,' which aired from 1997 to 1998.
Beyond acting, Choi made significant contributions to cultural programming. He hosted KBS's 'Good Country Movement' from 1999 to 2008 and introduced stories related to food while meeting neighbors across the country on 'Korean Table.' His signature gesture of tilting his head back and laughing with a 'paha' became a familiar symbol to the public.
In May of this year, MBC aired a two-part documentary titled 'Paha, This is Choi Bool-am,' reflecting on his over 60 years in acting. Although it was initially reported that he would appear in the documentary, he did not appear on camera at the request of his family, who wanted him to focus entirely on his rehabilitation.
* This article has been translated by AI.
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