Minister Choi Hwi-young pays tribute to late Choi Bool-am again on social media, recalls promise to share makgeolli

[Financial News] Minister of Culture, Sports and Tourism Choi Hwi-young paid tribute once again to the late actor Choi Bool-am (real name: Choi Young-han), recalling a promise they made during his lifetime to share makgeolli.
In a post on his social media account on the 31st, Minister Choi shared his thoughts after paying his respects the previous day and recounted what happened when he visited Choi in the hospital last June.
He wrote that as he was about to leave after the hospital visit, the deceased beckoned him over and suggested they have a drink once he was discharged. He added that the warm voice he heard then still rings vividly in his ears.
He said that, feeling regret that they ultimately could not keep their promise and grieving his loss, he placed a glass of makgeolli before the deceased’s portrait. He added that the deceased’s wife, actress Kim Min-ja, saw the glass and said, “I think he would have liked it,” which made his heart ache even more.
Minister Choi went on to write, “Sir, may you rest peacefully. I am truly grateful for all this time,” and, “Once again, I respectfully pray for the repose of your soul.”
The previous day, Minister Choi visited the funeral altar at the Asan Medical Center funeral hall in Songpa-gu, Seoul, and, on behalf of the government, presented the bereaved family with the Geumgwan Order of Cultural Merit posthumously awarded to the deceased. Immediately after paying his respects, he also told reporters, “I just offered him a drink and came out.”
The deceased was beloved nationwide for his roles as Chief Park Young-han in MBC’s “Chief Detective” and Mr. Kim of Yangchon-ri in “Country Diaries.” As host of KBS1 TV’s “Korean Cuisine and Dining,” he introduced foods from across the country and the lives of its people. He also worked to support children as chair of Green Umbrella’s National Supporters’ Association.
He died on the 29th while receiving inpatient treatment at a hospital in Gangseo-gu, Seoul. He was 87. In accordance with his wishes, his funeral will be held as a Green Umbrella Children’s Foundation funeral.
The funeral procession will depart at 7:40 a.m. on November 2. A funeral Mass will be held at Yeouido Catholic Church at around 9 a.m. that day, followed by a farewell at Green Umbrella’s headquarters at around 10:40 a.m. He will be laid to rest at Donghwa Gyeongmo Park in Paju, Gyeonggi Province.


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