SEOUL, Oct. 30 (Yonhap) -- Veteran actor Choi Bool-am, widely known as "Korea's father character" for representing the image of a Korean father, has died. He was 87.

According to his family Friday, Choi died at around 10 p.m. Thursday while receiving hospital treatment in Gangseo-gu, western Seoul. His real name is Choi Young-han. 

His body was moved at around 12:20 a.m. Friday to the hospital where his funeral altar will be set up. His wife, actress Kim Min-ja, their children and an associate accompanied him along with two emergency medical workers. His wife followed behind in tears, overcome with grief over the loss of her husband.

An associate who was met in the hospital lobby said, "He has passed away," expressing sorrow.

Choi stepped down from KBS 1TV's current affairs and culture program "Korea's Table," which he had hosted for 14 years since 2011, after undergoing surgery for a herniated lumbar disc in March last year and becoming less mobile. He had been focusing on rehabilitation since then, but his health is said to have deteriorated rapidly.

Born in 1939 (1940 according to his family registry), Choi was born in Jemulpo-gu (now Dong-gu), Incheon. He graduated from Jungang High School in Seoul, Seorabeol College of Arts and Hanyang University's Department of Theater and Film. Originally aspiring to become a director, he made his stage debut as Hamlet with the Experimental Theater Company in 1959 and began his professional acting career as a member of the National Theater Company of Korea in 1965.

He entered television in 1967 after being selected as the sixth class of specially recruited actors by Seoul Central Broadcasting Station, now KBS. In his 20s, he played the elderly Kim Jong-seo in the TV drama "Prince Suyang."

He subsequently rose to nationwide fame and established himself as a national actor through roles including Police Chief Park Young-han in MBC's "Chief Inspector," one of the earliest Korean investigative dramas, which aired for 18 years from 1971 to 1984 and again from 1985 to 1989; Chairman Kim of Yangchon-ri in MBC's "Country Diaries," Korea's longest-running drama, which aired for 22 years from 1980 to 2002; and Captain Park in MBC's "You and I" (1997-1998).

Over a 67-year acting career, Choi worked across television, film and theater. From a young age, he did not shy away from supporting or elderly roles if they contributed to the quality of a production.

He primarily played elderly characters from the early days of his acting career. At age 30, he played an old man in "Reverse Wind," MBC's inaugural drama in 1969. From his 40s onward, he portrayed former President Syngman Rhee in his 80s in "The First Republic" (1981-1982) and "The Second Republic" (1989-1990). He also stood out in popular dramas including "Eyes of Dawn" (1991-1992), "Mimang" (1996-1997), "The Age of Heroes" (2004-2005), "Princess Hours" (2006) and "Gourmet" (2008).

He also expanded his career into film, appearing in numerous works including "Light and Shadow" (1967), "The Female Bandit" (1968), "Mansong" (1970), "The Renunciation" (1974), "The Heyday of Young-ja" (1975), "Wangshiri" (1976), "I Really Really Like You" (1978), "A Fine, Windy Day" (1980), "Our Joyful Young Days" (1987), "Don't Fool Around" (2004) and "Undercover" (2005).

In April 2018, he returned to the theater stage for the first time in 25 years with "When the Wind Blows, the Stars Tremble." That same year, he made special appearances in OCN's drama "Life on Mars" and MBC's "Chief Detective 1958" (2024), a prequel to "Chief Inspector," demonstrating the enduring presence of the "forever police chief."

In May this year, MBC released "Paha, I'm Choi Bool-am," a two-part documentary chronicling his more than 60-year acting career, drawing considerable attention. Choi was initially reported to be appearing in the documentary, but he did not appear before the cameras at his family's request so that he could focus on rehabilitation treatment.

Choi also briefly left the broadcasting industry to enter politics. In 1992, he served as a proportional representative lawmaker of the 14th National Assembly (1992-1996) under the Unification National Party. He ran as a candidate of the New Korea Party in the Yeongdeungpo-gu B constituency in Seoul in the 15th National Assembly election but lost, and returned to acting through "Country Diaries" in 1996.

His most notable acting partner was Kim Hye-ja. The two appeared together in numerous productions, beginning with "Frog Husband" (1969-1970) and continuing through "Princess Hours" (2006). In particular, their performances as a married couple for 22 years in "Country Diaries" were so convincing that many viewers mistook them for a real-life couple.

Choi also had a long career as a host of current affairs and cultural programs in addition to acting.

From 1999 to 2008, he hosted KBS' investigative program "Good Country Movement," and from 2011 until last year, he hosted "Korea's Table."

Through long-running dramas and cultural programs, he maintained a down-to-earth and approachable image with viewers. His trademark laugh, in which he tilted his head back and exclaimed "paha!" became particularly beloved across generations.

In the 1990s, the "Choi Bool-am Series," a collection of short humorous stories featuring him as the central character, became hugely popular, and many actors and broadcasters imitated his distinctive laugh.

His human charm helped him build friendships not only in broadcasting but also with figures in politics and the cultural sector.

His relationship with the late Chung Ju-yung, honorary chairman of Hyundai Group, was particularly well known. Choi entered politics at Chung's recommendation and served as a lawmaker for the Unification National Party, which Chung founded. Choi also portrayed a young Chung Ju-yung in "The 25th Hour of Ambition" (1983) and played Chun Tae-san, a character modeled on Chung's younger years, in "The Age of Heroes."

Choi married actress Kim Min-ja in 1970 after dating her for four years and was known for his deep affection for his wife throughout their marriage.

Choi fell in love at first sight after seeing Kim Min-ja appear in KBS' drama "Madam Jeongdong," which prompted him to move to KBS and begin appearing in its dramas. The two grew closer while working together in productions including the play "Between Seasons" (1968) and eventually married, having a son and a daughter.

In recognition of his outstanding acting ability, Choi received numerous awards and honors during his lifetime.

His accolades included the Best Actor awards in the television category at the Baeksang Arts Awards in 1974 and 1978, the Best Actor awards in the theater category in 1969 and 1971, Best Supporting Actor at the Grand Bell Awards in 1978, Best Actor at the same awards in 1979, the Order of Civil Merit, Moran, in 1998 and the Eungwan Order of Cultural Merit in 2014.

In recognition of his contribution to improving the image of police officers through "Chief Inspector," he was first appointed an honorary police officer in 1972. In 2024, he became the first civilian to be appointed honorary chief of the National Office of Investigation, with the rank of senior superintendent general.

He also participated in special live broadcasts to help find missing children and support children with rare and incurable diseases. He served as chairman of the national supporters' association of ChildFund Korea and chairman of the board of the nonprofit Zero Camp, devoting himself to social contribution activities for children and young people.

The funeral for Choi will be held under the auspices of ChildFund Korea. A funeral committee will be formed to honor his lifelong dedication to the happiness and future of children and young people.

Hwang Young-ki, chairman of ChildFund Korea, will head the funeral committee, while former Prime Ministers Lee Soo-sung and Lee Nak-yon are expected to serve as committee members. The full list of committee members and their roles will be announced after final confirmation.

Choi's side said, "The funeral is expected to be a place to mourn a national actor who left a great mark on Korean broadcasting and performing arts, as well as to honor the life of a social contributor who devoted himself for many years to protecting the rights and interests of children and young people."

The funeral altar will be set up at Seoul Asan Medical Center's funeral hall from 9 a.m. Friday. He is survived by his wife, actress Kim Min-ja, son Dong-nyeok and daughter Dong-bi.

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