Choi Bul-am Rests in Peace as "Francis" (Roundup)

All Souls' Day Funeral Mass at Yeouido Church
Cardinal Yeom: "He was both the nation's father and the nation's actor"
Hwang Youngki: "We will carry on his wishes and always stand by children"
Farewell at Green Umbrella before procession heads to Paju

Choi Bul-am, remembered as the "nation's father" and as an actor, a Catholic, and a supporter of children, began his final journey.

Cardinal Yeom Sujeong officiates the funeral Mass for the late actor Choi Bulam at a church in Yeouido, Seoul, on Nov. 2, 2026. Photo by Kang Jinhyung.

The funeral Mass for Choi, who died on Oct. 29 at the age of 87, was held at 9 a.m. on Nov. 2 at Yeouido Church in Yeongdeungpo-gu, Seoul, with Cardinal Yeom Soo-jung presiding. Before the Mass, a private departure ceremony was held at 7:40 a.m. at the funeral hall of Asan Medical Center in Songpa-gu, Seoul, in accordance with the family's wishes. As his grandson carried the portrait and the coffin followed, his wife, Kim Min-ja, repeatedly wiped away tears while being supported by actress Kim Hyesoo. Kim Hyesoo, who regarded the couple as her own parents, had stayed by their side since the first day of the wake. Kim Min-ja also wiped away tears as she stepped out of the hearse after arriving at the church.

Those attending the Mass included Choi Hwi-young, Minister of Culture, Sports and Tourism; actors Kang Seokwoo, Kim Hyesoo, Jung Junho, Shin Hyunjun, and Song Ilgook; broadcaster Kim Kyungran; and singer Andy. The day is All Souls' Day, when the Catholic Church remembers all the faithful who have died. Cardinal Yeom said it was deeply meaningful to hold Choi's funeral Mass that day, and paid tribute to him, saying, "I am newly aware that Brother Choi Bul-am was truly not alone, but someone who was with many people." He recalled Choi's life, from playing Chief Inspector Park in "Chief Inspector," Chairman Kim in "Country Diaries," and hosting "Korean Cuisine and Dining," saying that he "was both the nation's father and the nation's actor."

The homily turned to the deceased's faith. According to Cardinal Yeom, Choi would take his wife to the courtyard of Yeouido Church every Sunday morning and joke that she was "already halfway to becoming Catholic." Choi was baptized on Oct. 31, 2018, with Cardinal Yeom officiating, and renewed his marriage vows with Kim Min-ja on the same day. His baptismal name came from that of Pope Francis, whom he admired. Choi reportedly said at the time, "As I grew older, I realized that an actor loved by the public must follow the path of a seeker." Cardinal Yeom also visited him in the hospital and administered the Anointing of the Sick on Oct. 20, nine days before his death.

The portrait and coffin of the late actor Choi Bul-am are carried out of the chapel during his funeral Mass at Yeouido Catholic Church in Seoul on Nov. 2, 2026. Photo by Kang Jin-hyung

Toward the end of the Mass, popera tenor Lim Hyungjoo, who had been especially close to Choi, sang the tribute song "Ave Maria." He, who called Kim Min-ja "Auntie," was seen clutching his chest and composing himself during the song.

In his eulogy, Hwang Youngki, chair of Green Umbrella, said, "Not long ago, I visited our chairman of supporters at his hospital bedside and told him we would take care of him with all our hearts until the end. He nodded," adding, "It was a brief farewell, but one filled with deep trust." Recalling Choi's words, "It is the role of adults to give children hope," Hwang pledged, "We will carry on his wishes and always stand by children."

A farewell ceremony will be held at the headquarters of Green Umbrella Children's Foundation in Mugyo-dong, Jung-gu, Seoul, where the funeral procession is due to arrive at around 10:40 a.m. Employees will line up to receive the portrait, and a staff representative will read a eulogy. After members of the funeral committee lay flowers at the memorial space on the foundation's first floor, the portrait will be taken around the foundation before proceeding to Donghwa Gyeongmo Park in Paju, Gyeonggi Province, the burial site.

Choi, who was appointed chair of the foundation's national supporters' association in 1985, was honored with a five-day funeral organized by Green Umbrella Children's Foundation. Hwang chaired the funeral committee, while former Prime Ministers Lee Soo-sung and Lee Nakyeon served as committee members. Visitors from various fields came to the wake, which was set up on Oct. 30. Actress Kim Hyeja, who played a married couple with Choi for 22 years in the drama "Country Diaries," said before his portrait, "We'll meet again soon. I miss you so much." Former Minister of Culture, Sports and Tourism Yoo In-chon, actors Go Doo-shim, Im Ho, Uhm Yoo-shin, the couple Kim Ji-young and Nam Sung-jin, and Lee Kye-in also shared their grief as members of the "Country Diaries" family. Actors Na Moon-hee, Park Keun-hyung, Oh Ji-myung, Kang Bu-ja, Lee Deok-hwa, Yoon Yeo-jung, Baek Il-seob, Im Hyun-sik, and Choi Soo-jong also paid their respects, along with Park Sang-won, Cha In-pyo, and Song Seung-heon from "You and I," and Lee Je-hoon from "Chief Inspector 1958."

The portrait of the late actor Choi Bul-am and his coffin are carried into Yeouido Catholic Church in Seoul during his funeral Mass on Nov. 2, 2026. Photo by Kang Jin-hyung.

Tributes also came from political and business figures. Kim Min-seok, leader of the Democratic Party of Korea; former party leader Song Young-gil; former prime ministers Kim Boo-kyum and Lee Nakyeon; 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 National Police Agency Commissioner Kim Jong-cheol visited the wake. Euisun Chung, Executive Chair of Hyundai Motor Group; Chung Mong-joon, chairman of the Asan Foundation; Lee Joong-keun, chairman of Booyoung Group; and former baseball player Park Chan-ho also paid their respects. Chung recalled that Choi had been his senior at high school and had been like a friend to his late father, honorary chairman Chung Ju-yung. Minister Choi presented the Gold Crown Order of Cultural Merit, awarded posthumously by the government, at the wake.

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