[Sportschosun, Reporter Park A-ram] Actor Choi Bool-am has been continuing rehabilitation treatment, and an encouraging update about him has been shared.
On the 13th, Choi Hwi-young, Minister of Culture, Sports and Tourism, posted on social media, "I visited our 'national father' Choi Bool-am, who is hospitalized due to health issues, and offered my respectful greetings. He welcomed me warmly with his signature 'paha' laugh, which put me greatly at ease. His wife, Kim Min-ja, was also there by his side. Choi Bool-am spoke warmly to me about everything from current affairs to art and religion, and encouraged me with great kindness. He even said we should have a drink once he is discharged soon. ^^ I immediately asked him to buy me makgeolli. When I brought up Eunsung Tavern, the bar his mother used to run, he smiled brightly. Eunsung was once known as a gathering place for struggling artists long ago. Through the drama 'Chief Detective' as Detective Park, 'Country Diaries' as Chairman Kim, and most recently through 'Korean Cuisine and Dining,' he has remained with us for many years. His stern yet warm presence and deep voice are always remembered in our hearts. I sincerely pray for his full recovery, as he has given the public such lasting inspiration throughout his life. The day after tomorrow is his birthday. (Born June 15, 1940) With loud cheers and hands clasped together, 'Happy birthday, sir!!' ^^" He said he had recently visited Choi Bool-am, who is hospitalized, to check on his condition.
Moon Eun-young, head of the Korean Film Archive (KOFA), accompanied the visit, and Choi's wife, actor Kim Min-ja, was also present in the hospital room.
At the meeting, a Blu-ray copy of the film 'The Last Witness,' in which Choi Bool-am played the lead role, was also presented. The film was originally screened with its source material damaged by censorship at the time of release, but it was later restored and reborn as a significant work in Korean film history.
Through this film, Choi Bool-am won the Best Actor award at the inaugural Korean Association of Film Critics Awards (KAFC Awards), once again proving his presence as an actor.
Meanwhile, Choi Bool-am has been focusing on rehabilitation therapy since undergoing surgery for a herniated disc last year. He stepped down from 'Korean Cuisine and Dining,' which he had hosted for 14 years, due to health reasons, but the recent update has reassured fans by showing that he is in much better condition.
tokkig@sportschosun.com
