'Passing' Choi Bool-am, the national actor who defended justice and embraced people

'Chief of Investigation' to 'The Korean Table'... The Reason He is a National ActorHe was everyone's father and everyone's neighbor.Actor Choi Bool-am passed away at the age of 87 on the 29th. The photo shows him speaking at the 'Seoul City Honorary Ambassador Appreciation Plaque Award and Appointment Ceremony' in 2023. /Reporter Park Heon-woo[THE FACT | Reporter Jung Byung-geun] 'National Actor', 'National Father', 'Eternal Chief of Investigation'. The modifier 'National' is uniquely attached to actor Choi Bool-am. It is not a title that can be earned simply by receiving public love for a long time. The characters he played represented the era, sometimes quenched the thirst for justice, and sometimes comforted the hardships of life. In this way, Choi Bool-am became deeply ingrained in the lives of the people, beyond the small screen.Choi Bool-am passed away at the age of 87 on the 29th. He is a giant of the Korean acting world who has graced the stage, screen, and television for 67 years since his debut in the play 'Hamlet' in 1959. Although he played various characters in numerous works, the Choi Bool-am that remains in the public's memory was always someone by our side. He was a righteous detective, a trustworthy head of household, and a warm adult who listened to the stories of his neighbors.Choi Bool-am's representative works that made him a national actor are undoubtedly MBC's 'Chief of Investigation' and 'Country Diaries'. 'Chief of Investigation', which first aired in 1971, made history in Korean crime dramas, running for 18 years until 1989. Chief Park Young-han, played by Choi Bool-am, was a detective who relentlessly pursued the truth without compromising in the face of crime.The 1970s and 1980s, when he was active, were times of great upheaval in Korean society. In an era of authoritarianism and social chaos, justice and principles were not always upheld. In such times, the image of a steadfast detective portrayed by Choi Bool-am resonated deeply with viewers. It was not just the thrill of catching criminals, but his persistence in uncovering the truth and his humanistic side of standing by the weak that made Chief Park special.If 'Chief of Investigation' was the face of a righteous adult, then 'Country Diaries', which aired for 22 years from 1980 to 2002, was the face of a warm father. Choi Bool-am played Chairman Kim in Yangchon Village, portraying the head of a household in our time. He was a character who quietly protected his family and did not turn away from the pain of his neighbors, rather than asserting authority. Although sometimes gruff and stubborn, he possessed deep affection and warmth within.His portrayal of a married couple with actress Kim Hye-ja also left a deep impression. Their acting was as natural as a couple who had lived together for a long time. 'Country Diaries' was not just a rural drama, but a work that made us reflect on the meaning of family, neighbors, and community. Choi Bool-am was always there at the center, greeting viewers with a consistent presence. To some, he was a father, to others a grandfather, and to yet others, a familiar elder from their hometown.Choi Bool-am was more than just a popular actor. He embodied the image of an adult that the era needed, and that image remains in the memories of multiple generations. The photo shows him giving a speech as the national chairman of the Green Umbrella Children's Foundation in 2018. /THE FACT DBAlthough 'Chief of Investigation' and 'Country Diaries' were entirely different genres, the essence of the characters portrayed by Choi Bool-am was not significantly different. In one, he defended justice, and in the other, he embraced people. This is why both works were loved by the public for so long and why Choi Bool-am earned the title of 'National Father'.What made him even more special was his familiarity that extended beyond his works. The 'Choi Bool-am Series', which became popular nationwide in the 1990s, is a symbolic example. Short jokes featuring Choi Bool-am were passed from mouth to mouth, and even his characteristic "Pah-ha~" laughter became a trend. The fact that an actor with a solemn and weighty image became the subject of humor was interesting in itself. However, it also served as proof of how familiar Choi Bool-am was to the public.He also stayed close to the public as a broadcast host. From 1999 to 2008, he appeared on KBS's 'Good Country Movement Headquarters', raising awareness about civic consciousness and social order. In reality, he voiced his support for a better society, just as he had shown the values of justice and community in his dramas.His humility and warmth shone even brighter in KBS's 'The Korean Table', which he hosted for 14 years starting in 2011. He traveled all over the country, encountering the tables of ordinary people, and conveyed the stories of life and the traces of time embedded in the food. There was no distance from him as a famous actor. He was grateful to the neighbors who prepared food with their rough hands, and his attentive listening to their stories was incredibly natural.In 'The Korean Table', Choi Bool-am was not acting. The humanistic side of actor Choi Bool-am, who had been loved by the public for so long, was fully revealed. The gaze that sought truth in 'Chief of Investigation' evolved into a warm look into the lives of his neighbors, and the generous heart that embraced his family in 'Country Diaries' expanded to tables across the country.Choi Bool-am was more than just a popular actor. He embodied the image of an adult that the era needed, and that image remains in the memories of multiple generations. As time passed and the world changed, the trust and warmth felt from his face remained unchanged. This is why Choi Bool-am remained a national actor, and why, even though we can no longer see him in new works, he will be remembered for a long time to come.kafka@tf.co.kr[Entertainment Department | ssent@tf.co.kr]