'Eternal investigation team leader' Choi Bul-am passes away... ‘National father’ who smiled ‘Paha~’ (Comprehensive 2nd edition)

(Seoul = Yonhap News) Reporter Jang Jin-ri and Jo Yoon-hee = Actor Choi Bul-am (real name Choi Young-han), who represented Korea's father figure and was called the 'national father', passed away. Age 87.

According to the bereaved family on the 30th, Choi Bul-am passed away during hospitalization at a hospital in Gangseo-gu, Seoul around 10 p.m. on the 29th.

The deceased was moved to the hospital where the mortuary was set up at around 0:20 on this day, and his wife, actress Kim Min-ja, their children, and officials were accompanied by two emergency personnel. The wife followed behind, shedding tears over and over again due to the great sadness of losing the deceased.

The official I met in the hospital lobby was sad and said, “He passed away.”

The deceased had to withdraw from KBS 1TV's current affairs and culture program 'Korean Table', which had been running for 14 years since 2011, due to difficulty moving after undergoing lumbar disc surgery in March of last year. 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.

Since then, he has become 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.

Choi Bul-am has been active in dramas, movies, and theater stages for 67 years. From a young age, he did not care whether it was a supporting role or a labor role for the sake of the perfection of his work.

From the beginning of his acting career, he mainly played labor roles. At the age of 30, he played the role of an old man in MBC's inaugural drama 'Backwind' (1969), and from his 40s, he played former President Syngman Rhee in his 80s in 'The First Republic' (1981-1982) and 'The Second Republic' (1989-1990). His presence was also noticeable in popular dramas such as 'Eyes of Dawn' (1991-1992), 'Illusion' (1996-1997), 'The Age of Heroes' (2004-2005), 'Palace' (2006), and 'Sikgaek' (2008).

He expanded his scope of activity to the screen as well, including 'Light and Shadow' (1967), 'Yeomajeok' (1968), 'Manjong' (1970), 'Bagye' (1974), 'Youngja's Golden Age' (1975), 'Wangsimni' (1976), 'I Really Really Like You' (1978), 'A Fine Windy Day' (1980), 'Our Happy Young Man' He appeared in numerous films, including ‘Day’ (1987), ‘Don’t Be a F*ck’ (2004), and ‘Undercover’ (2005).

In April 2018, he appeared on the theater stage for the first time in 25 years by appearing in ‘When the Wind Blows and the Stars Shake’. In the same year, he made special appearances in the OCN drama 'Life on Mars' and MBC's 'Investigation Chief 1958' (2024), a prequel to 'Investigation Chief' (a sequel that tells the story earlier in time), showing that the 'Eternal Investigation Chief' is alive and well.

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.

Choi Bul-am left the broadcasting industry for a while and entered politics. He served as a proportional representative of the Unification People's Party in 1992 (at the time, a national constituency member) and served as a member of the 14th National Assembly (1992-1996). In the 15th National Assembly election, he ran for the Yeongdeungpo-gu district in Seoul as a candidate for the New Korea Party, but was defeated, so he returned to his main profession, acting, through 'Pastoral Diary' in 1996.

His life partner as an actor was definitely Kim Hye-ja. Kim Hye-ja and worked together on many works, starting with ‘Frog Husband’ (1969-1970) and ending with ‘Palace’ (2006). In particular, in 'Country Diary', they acted like a real couple for 22 years, leading many viewers to mistake them for a real couple.

Choi Bul-am has been active for a long time not only as an actor but also as a current affairs and culture program host.

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~' has become his trademark, and he has been loved as a friendly image across generations.

In the 1990s, the 'Choi Bool-am Series', a short humor collection featuring him as the main character, was very popular, and many actors and broadcasters imitated his laughter.

Based on his human charm, he built relationships with people not only in the broadcasting world but also in the political and cultural circles.

He is best known for his relationship with the late Chung Ju-young, honorary chairman of Hyundai Group. Choi Bul-am briefly entered politics at the recommendation of Honorary Chairman Chung, and served as a member of the National Assembly for the Unification National Party, which he founded. He also played the young man Chung Ju-young in '25 Hours of Ambition' (1983), and Cheon Tae-san, modeled after Honorary Chairman Chung's younger days, in 'The Age of Heroes'.

After dating actress Kim Min-ja for four years, he married her in 1970 and was famous for his lifelong love for his wife.

Choi Bul-am fell in love at first sight when he saw Kim Min-ja, who was starring in the KBS drama 'Madam Jeongdong', and this led to him moving to KBS and starting appearing in dramas. The two grew in love while working together on the play 'Change of Seasons' (1968), became a married couple, and had one son and one daughter.

He was recognized for his outstanding acting skills and received numerous awards and decorations during his lifetime.

He received awards such as the Baeksang Arts Awards, Best Male Actor in TV (1974, 1978), Best Actor in Drama (1969, 1971), Daejong Film Festival Best Supporting Actor (1978), Best Actor (1979), Magnolia Medal of National Merit (1998), and Eungwan Order of Cultural Merit (2014).

In recognition of his contribution to improving the image of the police as the 'Chief of Investigation', he was appointed as an honorary police officer for the first time in 1972, and in 2024, he became the first civilian to become the honorary head of the National Investigation Headquarters (Minister of Public Safety).

In addition, he appeared on special live broadcasts to find missing children and help children with rare and incurable diseases, and served as the national support chairman of the Green Umbrella Children's Foundation and the chairman of the board of directors of Zero Camp, an incorporated association, and also worked on social contribution activities for children and youth.

The deceased's funeral will be held by the Green Umbrella Children's Foundation. A funeral committee is formed to honor the wishes of the deceased, who devoted his entire life to a happy future for children and youth.

Green Umbrella Chairman Hwang Young-ki will serve as the funeral committee chairman, and former Prime Minister Lee Soo-seong and former Prime Minister Lee Nak-yeon will participate as members of the funeral committee. The specific list of members and roles will be announced after final confirmation.

Choi Bul-am's side said, "The funeral is expected to be an event to commemorate the national actor who left a great mark on Korean broadcasting and performing arts, as well as to commemorate the life of a social contributor who devoted himself to the rights and interests of children and youth for a long time."

The funeral will be held at the funeral hall of Asan Medical Center in Seoul starting at 9 a.m. on this day. Survivors include actor Minja Kim, son Dongnyok, and daughter Dongbi.