Cardinal Yeom Soo-jung: "Choi Bool-am Was the Nation's Father and a National Actor"

Funeral Mass at Yeouido Cathedral
From Zero Camp to the baptismal name "Francis"

Actor Choi Bool-am, known as the “nation’s father,” received his final farewell as a Catholic named Francis. A funeral Mass was held at 9 a.m. on Nov. 2 at Yeouido Cathedral in Yeongdeungpo-gu, Seoul, presided over by Cardinal Yeom Soo-jung.

Cardinal Andrew Yeom Soo-jung is celebrating the funeral Mass for the late actor Choi Bool-am at Yeouido Church in Seoul on Nov. 2, 2026. Photo by Kang Jin-hyung

The day of the Mass was All Souls’ Day, when the Catholic Church commemorates all the faithful departed. Cardinal Yeom said it was meaningful to celebrate the funeral Mass for the late actor. He remembered Choi as Chief Inspector Park in “Chief Inspector,” Chairman Kim in “Country Diaries,” and the host of “A Korean Table,” recalling that he “was the nation’s father and a national actor.” He added, “He devoted his life to acting and became a friend to society’s marginalized people.”

Choi’s connection with Cardinal Yeom began in 2012 through Zero Camp, a correctional and rehabilitation program for juvenile inmates. Choi took part in a camp at Gimcheon Juvenile Detention Center, helping young people return to society, and continued volunteering afterward. Cardinal Yeom recalled, “When he learned that the Catholic Church was leading the program, he became even more active in offering his help.”

According to Cardinal Yeom, Choi would drive his wife to the grounds of Yeouido Cathedral every Sunday morning and joke that he was “already halfway to becoming a Catholic.” On Oct. 31, 2018, he was baptized by Cardinal Yeom, who also officiated at a ceremony renewing Choi’s marriage vows with his wife, Kim Min-ja, that same day. When Cardinal Yeom suggested the name Dominicus, matching Kim’s baptismal name, Dominica, Choi declined and chose the name of Pope Francis, whom he admired. At the time, he said, “An actor is not a saint, but I believe I should live in that spirit.”

Cardinal Yeom said Choi regarded caring for sick children as a calling. He remembered him as “someone who, like the Good Samaritan, could not pass by children in need.” Choi served as chair of Green Umbrella’s national supporters’ association during his lifetime. Cardinal Yeom concluded his homily by praying that Choi’s soul would find eternal rest in God’s embrace.

The funeral portrait and coffin of the late actor Choi Bulam are being carried into Yeouido Catholic Church in Seoul during his funeral Mass on Nov. 2, 2026. Photo by Kang Jinhyung.

Those attending the Mass included Kim Min-ja and other family members, Minister of Culture, Sports and Tourism Choi Hwi-young, actors Kang Seok-woo, Kim Hye-soo, Jung Joon-ho, Shin Hyun-joon and Song Il-kook, broadcaster Kim Kyung-ran, and singer Andy. Earlier, a private funeral procession took place at 7:40 a.m. at the funeral home of Asan Medical Center in Seoul. Kim Min-ja was seen in tears as the coffin was carried out, and a grandson carried the portrait. After the Mass, the funeral procession will stop at the Green Umbrella headquarters in Mugyo-dong, Jung-gu, Seoul, for a final farewell before heading to Donghwa Gyeongmo Park in Paju, Gyeonggi Province, where Choi will be laid to rest.

Choi died at 87 at 10:30 p.m. on Oct. 29, while receiving treatment for worsening health. His funeral was organized by Green Umbrella Children’s Foundation. Hwang Young-ki, chair of Green Umbrella, served as head of the funeral committee, while former Prime Ministers Lee Soo-sung and Lee Nak-yon served as committee members. The government posthumously awarded Choi the Geumgwan Order of Cultural Merit.

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