A documentary featuring late actor Choi Bul-am's life has been released.
On the 30th, the production team of MBC's memorial special encore documentary, "Paha, I Am Choi Bul-am," drew attention by stating through on-screen text, "Actor Choi Bul-am, who was already battling illness in 2025, personally called the production team to request a program that would reflect on his life."
"Paha, I Am Choi Bul-am" is a program that aired last May. However, it has been rescheduled as a tribute to Choi Bul-am, who passed away on the 29th.
On the same day, KBS1 also broadcast "Special Documentary: The Beloved Guest of Our Living Room, Choi Bul-am — A Warm Elder, You Were the Path." This documentary featured footage of the late actor's life from April 2024.
In the documentary, Choi Bul-am recalled his wife, Kim Min-ja, upon seeing spring flowers in full bloom.
He said, "When I see flowers, I think of my wife," adding, "I gave her many when we were young, but I have become lazy now," which drew smiles. When asked about the meaning of happiness, he stated, "I feel happy when I have a good feeling in my heart," and spoke about the happiness found in simple daily life.
Choi Bul-am then gazed at the cherry blossoms blooming in Yeouido and said, "What is truly grateful is that the cherry trees in Yeouido must have started from just one tree as well. That was a wonderful thing to do." He added, "Let us plant a flower tree in our hearts too."
He stated, "Romance is romantic precisely because it is difficult," and continued, "When one generation passes, another comes. But the sun still rises." He further shared his philosophy on life by saying, "Both rising and setting are moving. Nature gives humans great emotion."
At the end of the broadcast, the production team paid tribute to the late actor, who had faithfully watched "Korean Table" every week without fail for a total of 688 episodes over 14 years and two months, starting from 2011.
On-screen text appeared reading, "Thank you for being with us. Warm elder Choi Bul-am, you were the path." The production team then prayed for the late actor's eternal rest, filled with love and respect.
Choi Bul-am passed away around 10:30 p.m. on the night of the 29th while receiving treatment at a hospital in Gwangjin-gu, Seoul. He was 87 years old.
The late actor's funeral will be held for five days under the auspices of the Green Umbrella Children's Foundation. The departure ceremony is scheduled for 7:00 a.m. on November 2. Following this, a funeral mass will be conducted at Yeouido Cathedral in Yeongdeungpo-gu, Seoul, presided over by Cardinal Nham Soo-jung. The burial site is Donghwa Memorial Park in Paju, Gyeonggi Province.
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