South Korean veteran actor Choi Bool-am (최불암), who debuted through Seoul Central Broadcasting (now KBS) as part of its sixth special recruitment, starred in countless beloved works throughout his career, accompanying Korean audiences across generations. With his warm and friendly image, coupled with his steady and profound acting, he deeply resonated with the public, earning him the title of 'Nation's Father.' He passed away around 10 p.m. on Oct. 29 while receiving inpatient treatment at a hospital in Gangseo District, Seoul, at the age of 87. The news of his death has led to widespread mourning in the entertainment industry.
Kim Hye-ja (김혜자), a veteran Korean actress and Choi Bool-am's acting partner for 22 years, visited the funeral home at Asan Medical Center in Seoul on the afternoon of Oct. 30 to pay her respects. Facing the loss of a long-time friend who shared many years of her acting career, Kim Hye-ja could not hide her grief, her eyes welling up several times during an interview. Her emotional confession moved many to tears.
When asked what she would like to say to Choi Bool-am for the last time, Kim Hye-ja became emotional, stating, "I don't think this is the last time. We will meet again after death, so please don't say it's the last time. If you think about it differently, there is no true 'last time' in life." Every word conveyed her deep reluctance to part. She also expressed that she would forever cherish her memories with Choi Bool-am and continue to live with these precious recollections.
She continued, "I have many memories with him, and I will continue to live with those memories. So why should we call it the last time?" When speaking about her message to Choi Bool-am, she emotionally added, "Thank you very much, and thank you to everyone for your efforts for him. I want to tell him, 'Let's meet again!' How much longer will I live? We will meet again soon, because he is someone I miss very much."
Kim Hye-ja refused to view their separation as a final goodbye, choosing instead to believe they would reunite someday. Her profound affection and longing for her long-time friend deeply moved many.
In fact, Kim Hye-ja and Choi Bool-am were one of the most iconic screen couples in Korean drama history. Their connection began in 1969 with the MBC drama “Frog Husband” (개구리 남편), and they went on to collaborate on numerous projects. The most classic of these was the long-running family drama “Country Diaries” (전원일기), which aired from 1980 to 2002. In the drama, they played Chairman Kim and his wife Lee Eun-shim, portraying a married couple for 22 years. Their natural and subtle interactions deeply resonated with viewers, leading many to believe they were a real-life couple.
Choi Bool-am was known as the 'Nation's Father,' and Kim Hye-ja as the 'Nation's Mother,' with their iconic images inextricably linked to “Country Diaries.” Their long-standing collaboration fostered exceptional chemistry, making their on-screen marital interactions so natural that audiences often mistook them for a real-life couple.
Following Kim Hye-ja's recent eulogy, footage of their reunion on the tvN STORY variety show “Chairman's People” (회장님네 사람들) in September 2023 has resurfaced. At the time, Kim Hye-ja recalled her “Country Diaries” filming days, saying, "Mr. Choi Bool-am was my husband in the drama, and everything was wonderful." When discussing her impending reunion with her long-unseen partner, she described the feeling as meeting someone she had missed for a long time.
Notably, 21 years had passed since “Country Diaries” concluded, and their on-screen reunion deeply moved many viewers. Kim Hye-ja revealed, "I was constantly looking forward to seeing Mr. Choi Bool-am. It truly felt like meeting an old friend I hadn't seen in ages. I was so happy I almost cried."
She also stated that they had shared a long journey together, having known each other since their 20s and even performing in stage plays. To her, Choi Bool-am was like a teacher who had taught her many things, and their bond was incredibly deep. Choi Bool-am also warmly inquired about Kim Hye-ja's recent life during their long-awaited reunion, showcasing their profound friendship.
Furthermore, Choi Bool-am's funeral hall has recently seen an influx of entertainment industry friends and juniors paying their respects. Kim Hye-ja, Na Moon-hee (나문희), Kim Hye-soo (김혜수), Cha In-pyo (차인표), Yoo In-chon (유인촌), Park Sang-won (박상원), Kang Seok-woo (강석우), Im Hyun-sik (임현식), and Kim Sung-hwan (김성환), among others, all came to bid him farewell. Na Moon-hee expressed her sorrow during her condolence visit, saying, "He was once our pride. I never imagined he would leave us so soon; my heart is truly heavy. We have too many memories together, and I will cherish them all."
Choi Bool-am passed away around 10 p.m. on Oct. 29 at the age of 87. He starred in classic works of Korean television history, such as “Chief Investigator” (수사반장) and “Country Diaries,” and was beloved by audiences for many years. The funeral will be held under the auspices of the Green Umbrella Children's Foundation, with the funeral hall located at Asan Medical Center in Seoul. The burial is scheduled for Nov. 2.
