Prime Minister Han Seong-suk pays tribute to the late Choi Bool-am: “His life as an actor was the history of South Korea’s culture and arts itself”

[Financial News] Prime Minister Han Seong-suk expressed her condolences on the death of actor Choi Bool-am, honoring both his acting career and his social contributions, including support for children.
On the 30th, Prime Minister Han wrote on X (formerly Twitter), “The deceased’s life in acting was the history of South Korea’s culture and arts itself,” adding, “I will cherish forever the inspiration he gave the people.”
Han said, “The love he showed during his lifetime—not only through his acting but also by supporting children from vulnerable groups and children with incurable illnesses, and helping find missing children—was a great example for our society.”
Han went on to write, “I will remember with the people the actor who warmed their hearts,” and, “Once again, may the deceased rest in peace.”
He died on the 29th, aged 87. He began acting in the 1959 play “Hamlet” and made his television debut in 1967 in the Korean Broadcasting System (KBS) drama “Suyang Daegun.” He won widespread public affection for his roles as Chief Park Young-han in MBC’s “Chief Detective” and Chairman Kim of Yangchon-ri in “Country Diaries.”
For 14 years, from 2011 through last year, he hosted KBS 1TV’s “Korean Cuisine and Dining,” sharing food from across the country and the lives of ordinary people in their communities.
Outside broadcasting, he worked to support children and adolescents, serving as chair of the National Supporters’ Association of Green Umbrella and chairman of the board of Zero Camp, an incorporated association. He took part in broadcasts seeking missing children and helping children with rare and incurable illnesses, and helped juvenile inmates return to society. In 2014, he received the Silver Crown Order of Cultural Merit.
The wake was set up at the funeral hall of Asan Medical Center. The funeral will be held under the auspices of the Green Umbrella Children’s Foundation, with the funeral procession scheduled for November 2.
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