'Nation's Father' Choi Boolam Laid to Rest After Farewell at Green Umbrella Foundation

Private funeral procession, followed by a funeral Mass at Yeouido Cathedral
Then to Donghwagyeongmo Park in Paju

Choi Bool-am, beloved as the “nation’s father,” began his final journey on Nov. 2, accompanied by his family and colleagues. The funeral procession for the late actor, who died on Oct. 29, took place privately at 7:40 a.m. at the funeral hall of Asan Medical Center in Songpa-gu, Seoul, in accordance with his family’s wishes.

Cardinal Yeom Soojung is celebrating the funeral Mass for the late actor Choi Bulam at Yeouido Catholic Church in Seoul on Nov. 2, 2026. Photo by Kang Jinhyung

As the portrait led the way and the hearse followed, his wife, Kim Min-ja, repeatedly wiped away her tears as Kim Hye-soo supported her. Kim Hye-soo, who regarded the late actor and his wife as parents, had stayed by their side since the first day of the wake. Kim Kyung-ran, Ahn Hyun-mo, Song Il-kook and Jung Joon-ho followed the hearse with somber expressions. Shin Hyun-joon remained alone, head bowed deeply, until the hearse and buses carrying mourners departed.

The procession headed to Yeouido Cathedral in Yeongdeungpo-gu, Seoul, where the funeral Mass was to be held. The Mass, which began at 9 a.m., was officiated by Cardinal Yeom Soo-jung. Popera tenor Lim Hyung-joo, who called Kim Min-ja “aunt,” sang the memorial song “Ave Maria.” The late actor was a Catholic who was baptized by Cardinal Yeom in October 2018. He chose the baptismal name Francis himself. According to reports, Cardinal Yeom also visited him in the hospital on Oct. 20, nine days before his death, and administered the Anointing of the Sick.

After the Mass, a farewell ceremony will be held at around 10:40 a.m. at the headquarters of the Green Umbrella Children’s Foundation in Jung-gu, Seoul. Executives and employees will line up to receive the portrait, and an employee representative will read a eulogy. After members of the funeral committee lay flowers at the memorial space on the first floor, the portrait will be taken around the foundation before proceeding to Donghwagyeongmo Park in Paju, Gyeonggi Province, where he will be laid to rest. The late actor had worked with the foundation since being appointed chair of its national supporters’ association in 1985. In his honor, his funeral was held over five days as a Green Umbrella Children’s Foundation funeral.

Cardinal Yeom Soo-jung is on his way to officiate the funeral Mass for the late actor Choi Bool-am at a church in Yeouido, Seoul, on Nov. 2, 2026. Photo by Kang Jinhyung

Many figures from across society visited the wake, which opened on Oct. 30. The cast of the drama “Country Diaries” gathered first. Kim Hye-ja, who played his wife for 22 years in the series, said before his portrait, “We’ll meet again soon. I miss him so much.” Former Minister of Culture, Sports and Tourism Yoo In-chon, Ko Doo-shim, Lim Ho, Um Yu-shin, the couple Kim Ji-young and Nam Sung-jin, and Lee Kye-in also attended. Na Moon-hee, Park Geun-hyung, Oh Ji-myung, Kang Boo-ja and Lee Deok-hwa came to pay their respects, as did Park Sang-won, Cha In-pyo and Song Seung-heon from “You and I,” and Lee Je-hoon from “Chief Detective 1958.”

Political and business leaders also continued to pay their respects. Minister of Culture, Sports and Tourism Choi Hwi-young presented the Order of Cultural Merit, Geumgwan (Gold Crown). Kim Min-seok, leader of the Democratic Party of Korea; former party leader Song Young-gil; former prime ministers Kim Boo-kyum and Lee Nak-yon; Seoul Mayor Oh Se-hoon; People Power Party lawmakers Kwon Young-se and Na Kyung-won; Cho Kuk Innovation Party leader Shin Jang-sik; and acting Korean National Police Agency Commissioner General Kim Jong-cheol also visited the wake. Euisun Chung, Executive Chair of Hyundai Motor Group; Chung Mong-joon, chairman of the Asan Foundation; and Lee Joong-keun, chairman of Booyoung Group, also paid their respects. Chung recalled that the late actor was his senior from high school and had been like a friend to his late father, honorary chairman Chung Ju-yung.

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.