Na Moon-hee, Yoo In-chon, Cha In-pyo and others pay condolences to the late Choi Bul-am... ‘Choose Your Daughter’ Kim Hye-soo sheds tears (comprehensive)

"In the end, I was unable to keep my promise to have a glass of makgeolli when I was discharged from the hospital. Professor Choi Bul-am, who was always a caring father by the people's side, will be remembered in all of our hearts for a long time."

On the 30th, Minister of Culture, Sports and Tourism Choi Hwi-young visited the funeral hall of Asan Medical Center in Songpa-gu, Seoul, where the late Choi Bul-am (real name Choi Young-han) was buried, and presented the posthumous Gold Crown Order of Cultural Merit to the deceased. He paid tribute, recalling the memory of visiting the deceased in the hospital last June.

Minister Choi said, "When I visited him four months ago, he smiled brightly and welcomed me, but I am so sad. He said we would have a drink when he was discharged, so I was waiting for that day, but it is shameful that he left so quickly and in vain. I gave him a drink a little while ago and left."

Regarding the background of awarding the deceased the Gold Crown Order of Cultural Merit, the highest honor in the world of culture and arts, Minister Choi said, "Today, the hearts of all citizens will be empty. That is why the teacher left so many achievements to all of us, and it is a medal he deservedly received." He added, "I presented the medal on behalf of the people. I also conveyed my deepest condolences to the bereaved family for the sad and sorrowful situation."

When Choi Bul-am, who represented Korea's father figure, passed away at the age of 87 on the night of the 29th, a procession of condolences from the cultural, artistic and political circles continued all day at his funeral from the first day of the funeral.

◇ Culture and Arts “Our pride and eternal father”

Colleagues and juniors from the entertainment industry who visited the funeral that day could not hide their sadness at the absence of a great teacher and adult who had walked through the ages together.

Na Moon-hee, who visited the funeral home with the support of an acquaintance, said, "It was our pride, but a part of my heart is very sad that he went first like this," and said, "I have so many memories, and I will cherish them well." She said her final goodbye to the deceased.

Former Minister of Culture, Sports and Tourism Yoo In-chon, who appeared as Yong-sik, the second son of Chairman Yangchon-ri Kim in MBC's 'Pastoral Diary', met with reporters and said, "He played a father in his debut work ('Gangnam Family') and lived as a father for 22 years in 'Pastoral Diary', so from a personal standpoint, he is family," and added, "I always called him father in normal times, but it is so sad and heartbreaking to hear of his death so suddenly."

Actor Cha In-pyo, who appeared as a father-son relationship with the deceased in the MBC drama 'You and Me', said, "Mr. Choi, whom I met on set, was a great person who treated his juniors as equals as human beings. I pray that he rests peacefully in heaven, where there is no pain and suffering."

Actor Kim Seong-hwan recalled, "He was the person who wrote the history of Korean dramas together with senior Lee Soon-jae, and was an adult who cared greatly for his juniors," and singer Jin-seong prayed for his soul, saying, "Whenever life was difficult, I would retrace my teacher's footsteps and gain strength. I hope that only good things will always happen in the next world."

In addition, broadcaster Lee Sang-byeok said, "During the Kim Dae-jung administration, he participated in 'Welcome to Korea' activities and frequently appeared on 'Morning Yard'. He was so passionate that he led each program he was in charge of to longevity, but I am saddened by his early departure."

Kim Hye-soo, who called the deceased 'father' and considered herself his daughter after working with the deceased's wife Kim Min-ja in the drama 'Samogok' (1987) as a mother and daughter, entered the mortuary and continued to sob without being able to control her sadness, and then left the mortuary with heavy steps.

Cultural figures, including actors Seon Woo Yong-nyeo, Gil Yong-woo, Yang Taek-jo, Hong Soon-chang, Lee Cheon-hee and Jeon Hye-jin, also visited the mortuary one after another to pay their respects to the deceased.

Colleagues who could not visit the funeral in person expressed their condolences in their own way. Actor Park Geun-hyung, who was an alumnus of Seorabeol Arts University and a member of the National Theater Company of Korea with the deceased, said in a phone call with Yonhap News, "I feel very confused and not good because my colleagues are leaving one by one," and added, "He was proactive in everything and was very considerate of his juniors. He did a lot of good things, but it's a pity that he has to leave due to his health."

Actor Go Doo-shim said in a text message, "As a public figure, he has quietly and naturally carried out the mission given to him, and in particular, he is a person with a holy heart who has participated in taking care of neighbors in need." He added, "The good deeds that he has consistently done through his involvement in the work of the Green Umbrella Children's Foundation will serve as an example to many people. I, too, was introduced to the work of the Children's Foundation and opened my eyes through him."

Actors Kim Hye-ja, singer Cho Yong-pil, and BTS's J-Hope, who worked together as a couple on 'Country Diary' for decades, expressed their condolences by sending condolences.

◇ Political circles and police also came to pay their respects… “Eternal ‘Chief of Investigation’”

Political and public figures also visited the funeral home to commemorate the deceased's social dedication and footsteps over the past 50 years.

Seoul Mayor Oh Se-hoon, who visited the funeral, recalled, "He was already a public relations ambassador for the city of Seoul even when I first became mayor, and he served as a public relations ambassador for almost 30 years and helped greatly in promoting the city."

He continued, "The Hangang Art Island project, for which you served as the chairman of the promotion committee, is now in its final stages. In 2-3 years, it will be completed as a space greatly loved by citizens. I am very sad that I will not be able to see its completion," he said.

Acting Police Commissioner Kim Jong-cheol, who visited the funeral to commemorate the deceased, with whom he had been associated for more than 50 years since being appointed as an honorary police officer in 1972, said, "The deceased will be remembered as the eternal 'Chief of Investigation' not only by the 140,000 police officers but also by the 50 million people." He added, "We will uphold the deceased's noble wishes and become a police officer trusted by the people."

Kim Min-seok, leader of the Democratic Party of Korea, who ran against the deceased in the National Assembly election 30 years ago, met with reporters after paying his condolences and said, "(During the election 30 years ago), he always treated me so warmly that I never thought of him as a competitor," and added, "I am especially sad and grateful because I know that kind of feeling."

Song Young-gil, former representative of the Democratic Party of Korea, who had a relationship with the deceased, who was from Incheon, while he was mayor of Incheon, said, "I cannot forget the warm affection he gave me for the region, including promoting the Asian Games, when I was mayor of Incheon."

Former Prime Minister Kim Boo-gyeom paid tribute to him, saying, "He was the most Korean symbol and the 'father of the Republic of Korea' whom we wanted to rely on generously at a time when the people were consolidating their energy for industrialization and economic development and had the courage to 'let's do it.'"

◇ Condolences from the cultural arts community and production staff continued… “I cried when I heard the news of his passing.”

Not only colleagues from the entertainment industry, but also broadcast production crews and people from the culture and arts world who had a relationship with the deceased began to visit from early in the morning.

Park Sul-nyeo, director of Hanbok, who made the deceased's shroud, recalled her relationship with the deceased after paying her condolences.

Director Park said, "Ever since I heard that the teacher was sick a year ago, I have been putting my heart into making a shroud," and added, "As he was a person who conveyed the warmth of a small citizen with his easy smile, I am sure he has gone to a good place in heaven, which is essential."

Choi Song-hee (50), who worked as a production scripter on the set of the MBC drama 'Age of Heroes' in the past, recalled memories by showing faded photos taken with the deceased.

Mr. Choi said, "I wrote a song while crying when I heard the news of his passing last night," and recited the lyrics of his self-composed song, "I hope you have a happy birthday, wearing your best clothes on the most brilliant day of October."

Film director Bae Chang-ho, who worked with the deceased as an assistant director on the movie 'A Good Windy Day' (1980) in which the deceased appeared, said, "He was a great actor encompassing film, TV, and theater, as well as the symbol of a caring father. I still vividly remember watching him perform monologues in the past and being deeply shocked by his creative acting, which created emotions with delicate rhythm and dynamics, like a musical performance."

◇ Celebrating 40 years of love for children… Strictly adhere to the leadership of ‘Green Umbrella Children’s Foundation’

The funeral of the deceased, who served as the national sponsor of Green Umbrella for over 40 years from 1985 following the adoption episode of Geumdong in 'Country Diary' in 1981, will be held as the 'Chairman of Green Umbrella Children's Foundation.'

Green Umbrella Chairman Hwang Young-ki visited the funeral home and said, "Before he was an actor, the deceased was a true adult who embraced children as 'another version of myself' throughout his life," and commemorated his life of dedication to sharing, including pioneering overseas support groups in the 1990s, volunteering in remote areas of Africa, teaching musicals at Gimcheon Juvenile Prison for 14 years, and establishing 'Zero Camp'.

The funeral committee included Chairman Hwang Young-ki, former Prime Ministers Lee Soo-seong and Lee Nak-yeon, former lawmaker Hong Moon-jong, Father Kim Seong-soo, National Assembly Legislative Policy Research Association Secretary-General Han Il-soo, and CEO Yang Ok-kyung.

The funeral will be held at 7:40 a.m. on the 2nd of next month. Then, at 9 a.m., a funeral mass will be held at Yeouido-dong Cathedral in Yeongdeungpo-gu, Seoul, with Cardinal Yeom Su-jeong officiating, and then move to the Green Umbrella Children's Foundation at 10:40 a.m. The burial site is Dongwha Gyeongmo Park.