Veteran Actor Choi Bool-am Dies at 87, Leaving Behind Nearly Seven Decades of Korean Cinema and Television
Beloved for his quiet authority, timeless performances and enduring presence on Korean screens, Choi Bool-am passed away on October 29 at the age of 87.
By KFRAMED · · 6 min read · Actors, Industry, Movies
South Korea is mourning the loss of one of its** most beloved cultural figures**.
Veteran actor Choi Bool-am passed away on October 29 at a hospital in Seoul while receiving medical treatment. He was 87 years old. The news prompted an outpouring of tributes from across the Korean entertainment industry, political leaders and generations of viewers who grew up watching his performances.
President Lee Jae Myung described Choi as
"the father of our era,"
praising an actor whose career embodied warmth, integrity and compassion both on and off screen.
A Career That Spanned Nearly Seven Decades
Born in Incheon in 1940,** Choi Bool-am** made his stage debut in 1959 before joining the National Theater Company of Korea. His television career began in 1967, marking the start of one of the longest and most influential careers in Korean entertainment.
Although many international audiences may know him through films such as:
- The Last Witness (1980)
- Shit Up! (2004)
- Good Windy Day (1980)
- She's on Duty (2005)
it was television that transformed him into a household name across South Korea.
Korea's "National Father"
Few actors have become as closely associated with a nation's identity as Choi Bool-am.
His portrayals of dependable fathers, principled detectives and compassionate community leaders earned him the affectionate nickname "the nation's father." Among his defining performances were Chief Inspector Park Young-han in MBC's legendary crime series Chief Inspector and Kim Hyun-soo in the long-running rural drama Country Diary, two characters that remain deeply embedded in Korean popular culture.
For many Koreans, Choi represented stability, kindness and moral conviction—qualities that transcended the screen.
A Legacy That Shaped Generations
Tributes continued to pour in throughout Friday as broadcasters announced special programming honouring the actor's extraordinary life and career. Colleagues remembered him not only as an exceptional performer but also as a mentor whose generosity and professionalism influenced generations of younger actors.
His passing also marks the end of an era for Korean television. With Choi's death, all four principal actors from the iconic Chief Inspector quartet have now passed away, closing a chapter in one of the country's most influential television series.
Films in this article
- She's on Duty (2005), directed by Park Kwang-chun
- Shit Up! (2004), directed by Oh Ji-myung
- The Last Witness (1980), directed by Lee Doo-yong
- Good Windy Days (1980), directed by Lee Jang-ho
People
- Choi Bool-am (최불암)