Culture minister visits ailing actor Choi Bool-am: 'Let's have a drink when you're out'

Culture Minister Choi Hwi-young visited actor Choi Bool-am, 86, who has been the subject of health concerns, to wish him a speedy recovery.

The minister shared a photo of himself at the actor's bedside on his Instagram on Saturday, writing that he had "paid a respectful visit to our 'national father' Choi Bool-am, who is hospitalized due to health problems."

The visit took place Thursday, with Mo Eun-young, head of the Korean Film Archive, accompanying the minister. Choi Bool-am's wife, actor Kim Min-ja, was also present.

"Choi Bool-am spoke warmly to me about everything from current affairs to art and religion, and gave me a great deal of encouragement," the minister said. "He greeted me with his signature 'pa-ha' laugh, which put me very much at ease."

The minister added that Choi Bool-am had suggested they share a drink once he is discharged. "I didn't hesitate — I asked him to buy me makgeolli," he wrote.

He also said the actor broke into a broad smile when the conversation turned to "Eunseong," a tavern once run by Choi Bool-am's mother. "Eunseong was a place long known as a hideout for struggling artists," the minister added.

Choi Bool-am has been hospitalized for rehabilitation after a herniated disc operation last year left him with limited mobility, prompting him to step down from "Koreans' Table," a KBS 1TV cultural affairs program he had hosted for 14 years.

서인영-조민아, 불화에 결혼식 초대도 안했는데…화해하고 쥬얼리로 다시 뭉쳤다

https://biz.heraldcorp.com/article/10770923