[2nd report] Choi Bul-am, ‘the eternal head of the investigation team’ and ‘the nation’s father’ passes away… Age 87

Actor Choi Bul-am (real name Choi Young-han), who represented Korea's father figure and was called 'the nation's father,' passed away. Age 87.

According to the broadcasting industry on the 30th, Choi Bul-am passed away around 10 pm on the 29th while receiving treatment at a hospital in Gangseo-gu, Seoul.

After undergoing lumbar disc surgery in March of last year, he had difficulty moving and had to withdraw from KBS 1TV's current affairs and culture program 'Korean's Table', which he had run for 14 years since 2011. Afterwards, efforts were made to rehabilitate him, but his health reportedly deteriorated rapidly.

Choi Bul-am, born in 1939 (1940 according to family register), was born in Jemulpo-gu, Incheon (Dong-gu at the time) and graduated from Seoul Jungang High School, Seorabeol College of the Arts, and Hanyang University Department of Theater and Film. Dreaming of becoming a director, he debuted in the play 'Hamlet' at the 'Experimental Theater Company' in 1959 and began his full-fledged acting career as a member of the National Theater Company in 1965.

He made his foray into TV dramas in 1967 when he was selected as one of the 6th special talent groups of Seoul Central Broadcasting (now KBS) and appeared as an elderly Kim Jong-seo in the drama 'Grand Prince Suyang' in his 20s.

Afterwards, he became a national figure with roles such as Captain Park Young-han of MBC's 'Investigation Team Leader' (1971-1984, 1985-1989), which was the beginning of Korean-style investigative dramas, which aired for 18 years, Chairman Yang Chon-ri Kim of MBC's 'Country Diary' (1980-2002), Korea's longest-running drama, which aired for 22 years, and Captain Park of MBC's 'You and I' (1997-1998). He gained popularity and established himself as a national actor.

In addition to being an actor, he has also been active as a current affairs and culture program host for a long time.

From 1999 to 2008, he hosted KBS' 'Good Country Movement Headquarters', a current affairs reporting program, and led 'Korean's Table' from 2011 to last year.

It consistently met viewers through long-running dramas and cultural programs, and had a strong image of being common people and down-to-earth. In particular, the way he tilts his head and smiles like 'paha~' became his trademark, and was loved as a friendly image across generations.

In May of this year, MBC's documentary 'Paha, I'm Choi Bool-am', which covers the deceased's 60-year acting career, was released in two parts and attracted attention. Initially, Choi Bul-am was also known to appear, but he did not appear in front of the camera due to his family's request that he want to focus on rehabilitation treatment.