GlobeNow.tvVeteran South Korean Actor Choi Bool-am Dies at 87
Between 30 Oct 2026, 05:29 UTC and 31 Oct 2026, 04:49 UTC, GlobeNow.tv collected 42 news videos about Veteran South Korean Actor Choi Bool-am Dies at 87 from 9 outlets in 1 country, including South Korea. The most recent report is “Country Diary stars Kim Ji-young and Nam Sung-jin bid their final farewell to the late Ch…” from 채널A News (Dong-A Ilbo), published 31 Oct 2026, 04:49 UTC.
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Polo's note
The passing of veteran South Korean actor Choi Bool-am at the age of 87 has plunged the nation into profound grief, silencing a voice that comforted households for decades. Broadcasters across the country, including KBS, MBC, SBS, JTBC, YTN, and Channel A, have dedicated extensive coverage to the loss of the revered figure known widely as the national father and the eternal chairman. Tributes frame his departure not merely as the loss of an accomplished artist, but as the fading of an entire era in television history, marked by his roles in long-running programs such as Country Diaries and Korean Food Table.
Coverage across major networks emphasizes the profound sense of collective bereavement, capturing continuous streams of mourners, political figures, and fellow artists visiting the mortuary at Asan Medical Center. Reports highlight poignant scenes, such as actress Kim Hye-ja bidding a tearful farewell to her television spouse of twenty-two years, and actor Shin Hyun-joon recalling the comfort Choi provided after previous losses within the arts community. Outlets also note the posthumous conferral of the highest Geumgwan Order of Cultural Merit, underscoring his indelible imprint on the nation's cultural fabric over a career spanning nearly seven decades.
Viewers responding on digital platforms expressed deep sorrow, recalling fond memories of watching him on Country Diaries and Korean Food Table alongside family members. Many offered heartfelt condolences while expressing anxiety over the advanced age of surviving veteran co-stars like Kim Hye-ja, urging them to prioritize their health. The comments reflect a personal connection felt by ordinary citizens who viewed him as a reassuring parental figure, transforming public news coverage into a shared national wake.
As the mourning processions continue and final farewells are broadcast live from the funeral hall, the coverage points toward an inevitable reckoning for South Korean culture as its foundational generation of television pioneers departs. Broadcasters signal that the focus will remain on preserving his extensive legacy and honoring the generation of actors who shaped the emotional landscape of modern Korean television. The final curtain falls on a gentle giant whose presence felt as permanent as the hearths he shared with the nation.
Latest reports
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Actor Shin Hyun-joon visits the mortuary of the late Choi Bool-am: "He gave me a lot of comfort after mother Kim Soo-mi passed away"
Actor Shin Hyun-joon visited the wake of the late Choi Bool-am and shared how the veteran actor had comforted him following the passing of actress Kim Soo-mi.…
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Korea's 'National Father' Actor Choi Bul-am Passes Away at Age 87
Channel A released a short tribute dedicated to the late veteran actor Choi Bool-am, widely remembered as the nation's father. Viewers and public figures…
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Veteran Korean actor Choi Bool-am passes away at 87, drawing nationwide tributes
Actor Choi Bool-am passed away at the age of 87, drawing an outpouring of grief at his wake in Seoul. Fellow actors, including Kim Hye-ja, visited the…
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Mourning procession for late actor Choi Bool-am continues at Asan Medical Center
Veteran South Korean actor Choi Bool-am passed away at the age of 87. A steady stream of mourners, including colleagues and public figures, has gathered at…
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Yangchon-li family sends off the eternal Chairman Kim... 'Country Diaries' family shares deep bonds beyond real family
The wake for national actor Choi Bool-am was held at Seoul Asan Medical Center, where former cast members of the classic drama Country Diaries gathered to bid…
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Actress Kim Hye-ja visits the wake of the late Choi Bul-am: "We will meet again soon"
Actress Kim Hye-ja, who played Choi Bool-am's on-screen wife for 22 years, visited his wake and bid a tearful farewell saying they would meet again soon.…
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“Don't say it's the last” Actress Kim Hye-ja breaks down at the mortuary of late Choi Bul-am
Fellow actors and colleagues gathered at the wake of the late Choi Bool-am to pay their final respects. Veteran actress Kim Hye-ja and others expressed…
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[LIVE] Mourning procession for the late actor Choi Bul-am at his mortuary.. Age 87
SBS News provides live coverage of the mortuary for the late national actor Choi Bul-am, where figures from all walks of life gathered to pay respects. The…
Key numbers
| Metric | Value |
|---|---|
| Videos | 42 |
| News outlets | 9 |
| Countries and regions | 1 |
| Languages | 1Korean |
| First report | 채널A News (Dong-A Ilbo) |
| Latest report | 채널A News (Dong-A Ilbo) |
| Coverage span | 23 hours |
| Busiest hour | 10 reports in the hour from 30 Oct 2026, 12:00 UTC |
How the story unfolded
- First report: 채널A News (Dong-A Ilbo) (from South Korea)Veteran South Korean Actor Choi Bul-am Passes Away at 87
- Peak: 10 reports within one hour
- Latest report: 채널A News (Dong-A Ilbo)Country Diary stars Kim Ji-young and Nam Sung-jin bid their final farewell to the late Choi Bul-am [On-site Video]
Reports per hour
Last 48 hours, UTC
Reports by country 1 countries
🇰🇷 South Korea
Country Diary stars Kim Ji-young and Nam Sung-jin bid their final farewell to the late Choi Bul-am [On-site Video]
41 more ›
All 1 reports by country
🇰🇷 South Korea
42 videos · +34 more
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[On-site] Mourning site for the late national actor Choi Bul-am / October 30, 2026 (Fri) / KBS
Veteran South Korean actor Choi Bool-am, widely known as the 'national father,' passed away at the age of 87. On October 30, colleagues and mourners visited…
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"From National Father to Elder of the World"... Choi Bul-am's Beautiful Companion / YTN
The late actor Choi Bool-am dedicated over 40 years to child welfare as the head of a national support foundation. His lifelong commitment to helping…
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Late Actor Choi Bul-am Awarded Posthumous 'Geumgwan Order of Cultural Merit'
The South Korean government posthumously awarded the Geumgwan Order of Cultural Merit to veteran actor Choi Bul-am, who passed away on the 29th. The honor…
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'National Father' Choi Bool-am passes away
Beloved national actor Choi Bool-am has passed away, prompting deep national mourning and remembrance of his contributions to the arts.
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'Nation's Father' Choi Bul-am Passes Away... Waves of Condolences from the Cultural and Arts Community
The cultural and artistic community in South Korea expressed profound sorrow over the passing of 'national father' actor Choi Bul-am. YTN's 'News Night'…
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National mourning for veteran actor Choi Bool-am #shorts
SBS News released a short tribute video honoring the late national actor Choi Bul-am, reflecting on his iconic roles in classic dramas. Citizens expressed…
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"Left behind..." Choi Bul-am, who wiped away tears, now joins his "Chief Inspector" colleagues [Issue ZIP]
Veteran actor Choi Bool-am, famed for his role as a chief investigator, passed away to join his departed colleagues, leaving behind a legacy of cherished…
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Actor Choi Bool-am passes away: Tributes pour in for the 'National Father'
Veteran actor Choi Bool-am, who portrayed the warmth of ordinary citizens over a 67-year acting career, passed away, plunging the nation into grief. Mourners…
What viewers around the world say
12 selected comments from viewers of reports in 1 country, grouped by where the report came from. Selected YouTube comments, translated by AI and screened for safety. Opinions are the commenters' own.
🇰🇷 South Korea
They said it's the last time, why keep asking, sigh, may the deceased rest in peace.
기자들 마지막이라고 하지 말라고 하는데 왜 자꾸 질문하냐 휴 삼가 고인의 명복을 빕니다
— @흑야1 · 👍 560 · on Married for 22 years, saying goodbye to Choi Bul-am... Kim…Fly away freely to a good place, and be happy there.
좋은 곳으로 자유롭게 훨~ 날아가세요 그리고 그곳에서 행복과 함께하세요
— @연잎-m5z · 👍 14 · on National Father Choi Bul-am Passes Away at 87He passed away... May the deceased rest in peace.
돌아가셨구나 ,,, 삼가 고인의 명복을 빕니다
— @달-u8m · 👍 2 · on 'National Father' Choi Bool-am passes awayKorean Table, which my father in the nursing home used to enjoy watching.
요양원에 계신 아버지가 즐겨보셨던 한국인의 밥상.
— @thoughguy0409 · 👍 1 · on Actor Choi Bool-am passes away at 87May the deceased rest in peace.
삼가 고인의. 명복을 빕니다
— @김련-e4f · 👍 1 · on Veteran South Korean Actor Choi Bool-am Passes Away at 87Ah, why am I crying like this? I rarely get sad... but tears are flowing.
아 나 왜 이렇게 눈물이 나는지. 잘 슬퍼하지 않는데 ,,, 눈물이 흐릅니다,
— @천광-j1n · on Acting through an era... The legacy of national actor Choi…I resonate with the saying that this is not the end, Teacher Kim Hye-ja stay healthy🙇♂️
지금이 마지막이 아니라는 말씀 공감되네요 김혜자선생님 건강하세요🙇♂️
— @존슨후 · 👍 439 · on Married for 22 years, saying goodbye to Choi Bul-am... Kim…Teacher Kim Hye-ja seems to put her soul into every single word. ㅠㅠ
김혜자 선생님은 말 한마디 한마디에 영혼이 실리는 거 같다. ㅠㅠ
— @一妄一語 · 👍 278 · on Married for 22 years, saying goodbye to Choi Bul-am... Kim…I enjoyed watching Choi Bul-am's Jeonwon Ilgi. Korean Table was also really great. Ah, it's such a pity. Tears are welling up in my eyes. I've never met him in person and just saw him on TV, but his warm voice and acting felt like an uncle or a next-door neighbor.
최불암씨의 전원일기를 재미있게 보았어요. 한국인의 밥상도 참 좋았죠. 아, 안타깝다. 내 눈에 눈물이 고인다. 직접 만나본 적도 없고 그냥 TV에서 보았지만, 마치 삼촌이나 옆집아저씨 같아 그 따뜻한 목소리와 연기가
— @정정숙-y9h · 👍 10 · on National Father Choi Bul-am Passes Away at 87I heard that because memorizing lines became difficult and he decided to retire from acting despite people around him trying to stop him so he wouldn't cause trouble for younger colleagues. Seeing people we were so glad to see on TV leave one by one makes me feel lonely for no reason.
대사 외우는게 힘드셔서 후배들 피해줄까 주변의 만류에도 연기은퇴를 결정 하셨다죠 티비에서 반갑게 보던 분들이 하나둘 떠나시니 괜시리 쓸쓸한 마음이 듭니다
— @rokmc834-g5s · 👍 10 · on National Father Choi Bul-am Passes Away at 87Go to a good place and rest in peace. May the deceased rest in peace.
좋은 곳으로 가셔서 편히 쉬세요 삼가 고인의 명복을 빕니다
— @onn7346 · 👍 2 · on 'National Father' Choi Bool-am passes awayMay the deceased rest in peace.... May you rest in eternal peace...
삼가 고인의 명복을 빕니다....영면하시길...
— @David-h5r7d · 👍 2 · on 'National Father' Choi Bool-am passes away
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What is happening with Veteran South Korean Actor Choi Bool-am Dies at 87?
The passing of veteran South Korean actor Choi Bool-am at the age of 87 has plunged the nation into profound grief, silencing a voice that comforted households for decades. Broadcasters across the country, including KBS, MBC, SBS, JTBC, YTN, and Channel A, have dedicated extensive coverage to the loss of the revered figure known widely as the national father and the eternal chairman. Tributes…
Where is Veteran South Korean Actor Choi Bool-am Dies at 87 being reported from?
Coverage comes from 1 country, including South Korea.
Who is reporting on Veteran South Korean Actor Choi Bool-am Dies at 87?
42 videos from 9 news outlets, including 채널A News (Dong-A Ilbo), YTN, 연합뉴스TV (Yonhap News TV), MBCNEWS, SBS 뉴스, KBS News.
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