A subdued mourning hall for the late Choi Bool-am amid autumn rain... A heartrending farewell: “I thought I’d be the first to go”

[Financial News] As beloved actor Choi Bool-am (born Choi Yeong-han) enters eternal rest, a wave of tributes continues in a subdued atmosphere as people see him off on his final journey.
On the morning of the 31st of last month, a weekend, the area around the late actor’s funeral hall at Asan Medical Center was quiet and somber in the steady drizzle. The bad weather kept the number of early-morning visitors relatively low, but a steady stream of mourners from all walks of life is expected from the afternoon onward to share in the grief.
Still, those who shared close ties with the deceased continued to visit. In particular, actor Oh Ji-myeong, his same-age friend of 60 years, who had forged a friendship with him in their school days, came to the funeral hall and spoke of his devastation. “He was my closest friend. We always used to say, ‘Would you go first, or would I?’ But seeing my friend leave like this when I thought I would go first, I feel bad for no reason,” he said, expressing his heartbreak.
Those who had formed special bonds with him through their work also bowed their heads, remembering him as both a “father” and a “teacher.” The married couple Nam Sung-jin and Kim Ji-yeong, who acted together in “Country Diaries,” said, “He was a towering figure who taught us about life beyond an actor’s life, and was like a father to us,” unable to hide their grief. Song Seung-heon, who worked with him in “You and I,” also recalled his warm nature, saying, “Even though he was such a revered senior, he always welcomed me, telling me, ‘Feel at ease with me, as if I were your dad.’”
Tributes extended beyond the entertainment industry to society at large. Fellow actors including Baek Il-seop, Jung Joon-ho and Song Il-gook, cultural figures, political and business leaders, Hyundai Motor Group Chairman Euisun Chung, and sports figures such as Park Chan-ho visited the funeral hall, underscoring the enormous legacy of the “nation’s actor,” who had defined an era.
He passed away on the night of the 29th at the age of 87 while receiving treatment after his health deteriorated.
His funeral procession will be held on the coming November 2, the fifth day after his death. In tribute to the life of the deceased, a devout Catholic, a funeral Mass will be held at Yeouido Catholic Church, after which he will enter eternal rest.


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