'Eternal Detective Chief' 'Father of the Nation' Choi Bool-am passes away at 87

Masterpieces 'Chief of Investigation' 'Jeonwon Diary'... A period of 67 years of acting comes to an endActor Choi Bool-am (real name Choi Young-han), known as the 'National Father' representing the father figure in Korea, has passed away at the age of 87. According to the broadcasting industry on the 30th, the deceased passed away around 10 p.m. on the 29th while receiving inpatient treatment at a hospital in Gangseo-gu, Seoul. /THE FACT DB[THE FACT|Reporter Kang Il-hong] Actor Choi Bool-am (real name Choi Young-han), who was called the 'National Father' representing the image of a father in Korea, has passed away at the age of 87. According to the broadcasting industry on the 30th, the deceased passed away around 10 p.m. on the 29th while receiving inpatient treatment at a hospital in Gangseo-gu, Seoul.Choi Bool-am, born in Incheon in 1939, began his acting career in 1959 with the play 'Hamlet'. After entering the broadcasting industry in 1967, he led one of the pillars of Korean popular culture for 67 years, moving across dramas, films, and plays.The representative works that elevated the deceased to the status of a national actor were MBC's 'Chief Inspector' and 'Country Diaries'. He earned the nickname 'Eternal Chief Inspector' by playing Chief Inspector Park Young-han, who was equipped with a sense of justice and humanity, in 'Chief Inspector'. In 'Country Diaries', which aired for 22 years from 1980 to 2002, he played the role of Chairman Kim of Yangchon Village, working with actress Kim Hye-ja and establishing himself as a character symbolizing the image of a Korean father.He also showed a strong presence in "Eyes of Dawn," "You and I," "The Age of Heroes," and "Sikgaek," and expanded his activities beyond acting by serving as a member of the 14th National Assembly in 1992. Since 2011, he has hosted KBS 1TV's "The Korean Table," sharing the food of the nation and the lives of ordinary people embedded within it.However, after undergoing surgery for a herniated disc in March of last year, he became physically impaired and stepped down from 'The Korean Table,' a program he had hosted for 14 years. He subsequently focused on rehabilitation treatment, but it is known that his health has deteriorated.In June, Minister of Culture, Sports and Tourism Choi Hui-young garnered attention by revealing photos and his current condition during a hospital visit. At the time, Choi Bool-am greeted visitors with his characteristic hearty laughter even from his hospital bed, and it was reported that they also made a promise to share a drink of makgeolli once he was discharged. His last update, which had raised expectations for his recovery, now adds to the sorrow with the news of his passing.The deceased also worked hard on social contributions for children and adolescents, not just acting. Choi Bool-am, who was loved across generations for his unique warm smile and humanistic acting. The works he left behind and the footprints he left on Korean popular culture are expected to be remembered for a long time.eel@tf.co.kr