An era passes through Choi Bool-am's funeral hall

"When we die, we will meet again — so do not call this a farewell. Depending on how you think about it, there is no such thing as a last time."

Kim Hye-ja, who spent 22 years playing the wife of Chairman Kim in the MBC drama series "Jeonwon Ilgi" (1980–2002), pushed back against the word "last" as she stood before the funeral altar on Friday, the first day of mourning. Calling the deceased "someone I miss terribly," Kim embraced fellow actor Yun Yeo-jeong when the two crossed paths at the funeral hall, and the two wept together for a long while. Choi Bool-am (born Choi Young-han) — revered as "the eternal Chief Inspector" and "the nation's father" — completed three days of public mourning and was laid to rest Monday.

On Sunday, the third and final day of mourning, a steady stream of visitors continued to arrive at Hall No. 20 of the Asan Medical Center funeral home in Songpa-gu, Seoul, where the altar had been set up.

Actor Lee Je-hoon, who played the young Detective Park Young-han in the MBC series "Chief Inspector 1958" (2024), visited the funeral hall that day and said, "The moments I spent acting alongside Choi Bool-am will remain the most glorious and enduring memories of my acting career."

Choi had originated the role of Chief Inspector Park in the original "Chief Inspector" series and made a special appearance in the 2024 production — his final on-screen performance. Lee recalled that Choi's warm smile and childlike joy had been "a great inspiration." Lee said he had studied Choi's face for a long time, hoping to capture that smile, and that a single word of encouragement from the sunbae — "I'll be watching with great expectations" — had deepened both his nerves and his resolve. The path Choi had walked, Lee said, remained "the greatest guiding light" for him.

Choi died Thursday night at a hospital in Gangseo-gu, Seoul, while receiving inpatient treatment. Choi was 87. Born in 1939, the family register listed the birth year as 1940. After undergoing surgery for a herniated disc last March, Choi worked hard at rehabilitation, but health deteriorated rapidly. Choi became a father figure to the nation through Chief Inspector Park in "Chief Inspector" and Chairman Kim in "Jeonwon Ilgi," and for 14 years — from 2011 until last March — hosted KBS 1TV's "Hansik Gidae" (Korean Table), bringing the stories of dining tables and the people who set them from across the country. Choi also served as a proportional-representation member of the 14th National Assembly, and after forming a bond with ChildFund Korea in 1981, served as national fundraising chair from 1985, remaining a steadfast presence for children in need.

The moment mourning opened at 10 a.m. Friday, the first visitor to step into the funeral hall was Yoo In-chon, the former minister of Culture, Sports and Tourism, who had played the second son Yong-sik in "Jeonwon Ilgi." Yoo said he had always called the deceased "father" in everyday life and regarded Choi as family. Yoo added that Choi would be remembered with warmth, just as the words Choi had shared in life: "Happiness is not far away. Open the window behind you, and happiness will be there." Yoo returned to the funeral hall Sunday to pay respects a second time.

Ko Doo-shim, who played the eldest daughter-in-law Eun-young, Nam Sung-jin and Kim Ji-young — who met as the characters Yeong-nam and Bok-gil and later married in real life — and Im Ho also visited in turn. Kim Ji-young called the deceased "a father and a teacher." Nam Sung-jin said, "I hope people will remember him as a great elder who set an example for everyone and shared a warm heart."

Eom Yu-shin, who played Chairman Kim's daughter in the series, came to the funeral hall on the final day. "Even as time passes, I feel like the teacher is somewhere out there, as if he might appear in another drama," Eom said, adding that the loss had not yet fully sunk in.

Song Il-guk, who had a minor role in "Jeonwon Ilgi," pledged as a ChildFund Korea ambassador to carry on the spirit of giving that Choi had embodied. "For more than 40 years, the teacher stood by children in need and showed through his own life that an actor's dignity is completed through how one lives," Song said.

Actor Oh Ji-myung, who had maintained a friendship with Choi since high school, said, "He was my closest friend — I always thought I would go first, but this friend went ahead of me." Oh added, "I feel strangely sorry, for no good reason."

Actor Lee Gye-in, who said he had "spent a lifetime alongside Bool-am," broke down in tears, crying out, "How could you leave me behind and go first?" Baek Il-seop, who arrived at the funeral hall leaning on a cane, said with regret, "I did not know he would go so soon. He should have lived longer."

Song Seung-heon, who shared a father-son dynamic with Choi in the drama series "You and I," paid tribute, saying, "He was like the sky to me when I was still lacking." Jeong Han-yong, who worked with Choi in "A Man Who Bows His Head" and "Age of Heroes," said, "I still cannot believe he is gone." Director Lee Jang-ho said, "He will remain in the hearts of the people as an actor they can never forget."

Yun Yeo-jeong, Na Moon-hee, Kim Sung-hwan, Jeong Jun-ho, Kim Mi-suk, Kim Chang-suk, Jeong Yeong-suk and singer Kim Heung-guk also visited the funeral hall. On Sunday, mourners included Kang Bu-ja — who had served in the 14th National Assembly alongside the deceased — as well as Lee Deok-hwa, Yun Yu-seon, ChildFund Korea ambassador and singer Andy, and broadcaster couple Im Baek-cheon and Kim Yeon-ju. Chae Si-ra, who appeared with Choi in the drama series "Miwang," wrote on SNS: "Simply watching you was a lesson in itself."

Kim Hye-soo stood vigil at the funeral hall for all three days. A bond formed when Kim played the daughter of Choi's wife Kim Min-ja in the 1987 drama series "Samogok" had endured for nearly 40 years. Kim greeted mourners from the first day of the funeral through Sunday, and was seen quietly straightening the shoes visitors had left outside. Video footage also captured Kim supporting Kim Min-ja as she left the funeral hall and wrapping a scarf around her.

Kim Hye-soo appeared alongside Kim Min-ja in a 10th-anniversary special of "Hansik Gidae" in 2021 and described the couple as "like a mother and father" to her. Kim said every text message Choi had ever sent had been kept, calling them "like a poem." The last message Choi sent before Kim departed for New York ended with the words: "Well then, come back safe — I want to hear all about the dreams you had over there!"

Political and business figures also paid their respects. Lee Nak-yon, the former prime minister serving as a funeral committee member, shared an anecdote about how Choi had insisted on wearing plain, modest clothing so as not to make ordinary people feel uncomfortable, saying, "Even after his passing, I thought to myself: Choi Bool-am is Choi Bool-am." Kim Jong-in, a middle school classmate of Choi's and former emergency committee chairman of the People Power Party, remembered his longtime friend as "an extraordinarily gentle and deeply affectionate person." Kim Min-seok, leader of the Democratic Party of Korea, who had run against Choi in the 1996 general election for the 15th National Assembly, also visited the funeral hall. Na Kyung-won of the People Power Party, Hyundai Motor Group Chairman Euisun Chung, Booyoung Group Chairman Lee Joong-keun and baseball player Park Chan-ho were also among those who came to pay their respects.

The government posthumously awarded Choi the Gold Crown Order of Cultural Merit (first class), and Minister of Culture, Sports and Tourism Choi Hwi-yeong presented the decoration to the family on Friday. President Lee Jae Myung posted on X, formerly Twitter, quoting the late actor's words — "To become a good actor, you must first become a good person" — as a tribute. Broadcaster Lee Hong-ryeol, who had always called Choi "the chairman," said, "Your very existence was a great comfort to us all."

At 2:30 p.m. Sunday, the encoffining ceremony was held in the presence of Choi's wife Kim Min-ja and their children. The burial garment was made by hanbok designer Park Sul-nyeo. Mourners paused and waited quietly while the ceremony took place. That same day, citizens also gathered at a memorial space set up at the ChildFund Korea headquarters in Mugyo-dong, Jung-gu, Seoul, to pay their respects.

The funeral is being held under the auspices of ChildFund Korea. Hwang Young-ki, chairman of ChildFund Korea, is serving as head of the funeral committee, with former prime ministers Lee Su-seong and Lee Nak-yon and former lawmaker Hong Moon-jong among the committee members. The funeral departure will take place at 7:40 a.m. Monday at the Asan Medical Center funeral home, held privately in accordance with the family's wishes. A requiem mass will follow at 9 a.m. at Yeouido Cathedral in Yeongdeungpo-gu, Seoul, presided over by Cardinal Yeom Su-jeong, who baptized Choi, with pop-opera tenor Lim Hyung-joo performing "Ave Maria" to bid farewell.

After the mass, the funeral procession will stop at the ChildFund Korea headquarters in Mugyo-dong, Jung-gu, Seoul, at around 10:40 a.m. — fulfilling Choi's own request that the procession visit the foundation after the passing. Staff will line up to receive the memorial portrait, a staff representative will deliver a eulogy, and a wreath-laying ceremony by funeral committee members will take place at the memorial space on the first floor. The portrait will then make its final journey to Donghwa Gyeongmo Park in Paju, Gyeonggi Province, where Choi will be interred.

For Im Hyeon-sik — a "Chief Inspector" castmate who had been at Choi's side for 60 years since their university days — the farewell was not truly an ending.

"Brother, stay well wherever you are. That way, all of us who follow you up there will meet you in good health, won't we?"