[Dispatch=Myeong-ju Lee] "The People's Father" Choi Bul-am (real name Choi Young-Han) has passed away. He was 86 years old.

According to the Green Umbrella Children's Foundation and Zero Camp, Choi Bul-am passed away around 10 p.m. on the 29th at a hospital in Gangseo-gu, Seoul, where he was receiving inpatient treatment.

After undergoing back disc surgery in March of last year, his mobility became difficult and he withdrew from KBS-1TV's "The Korean's Table." He focused on rehabilitation treatment, but his health deteriorated recently.

The deceased's wake will be held at the funeral hall of Seoul Asan Medical Center in Songpa-gu, Seoul. The funeral will be conducted as a Green Umbrella Children's Foundation funeral, honoring Choi Bul-am's lifelong dedication to child welfare.

Choi Bul-am was born in Jemulpo-gu, Incheon in 1939 during Japanese rule. He graduated from Chungang High School, Seorabeol University of the Arts, and the Film Department (currently Department of Theater and Film) at Hanyang University.

His 67-year acting career began on the theatrical stage. In 1959, he made his debut with the play "Hamlet" with the theater group "Experimental Theater Society." He also served as a member of the National Theater Company.

He appeared in mass media from 1967. After being selected as the 6th special recruitment talent for Seoul Central Broadcasting (currently KBS), he took on the role of the elderly Kim Jong-seo in the drama "Prince Suyeong."

His representative works include "Detective Bureau" (1971–1984, 1985–1989) and "Country Diary" (1980–2002). Each ran for 18 and 22 years respectively and was beloved as a national drama.

He was also active on screen. He appeared in films including "I Really Really Like You," "A Day with a Breeze," "Three Times Short, Three Times Long," and "Kil Sodeulm."

As a major figure in South Korean culture and the arts, he received numerous awards and decorations. These include the MBC Entertainment Awards Grand Prize (1997), the Daejong Film Awards Best Actor (1979), and the Baeksang Arts Awards TV Division Best Male Actor (1974, 1978).

Choi Bul-am received the Order of National Merit Magnolia Order in 1998. In 2014, he received the Silver Tower Cultural Decoration.

He briefly left broadcasting and entered politics. The deceased served as a member of the 14th National Assembly (Unification National Party proportional representative) in 1992. He ran as a candidate for the New Korea Party in the 15th National Assembly election but was defeated and returned to his main profession.

Choi Bul-am was in charge of not only acting but also hosting public affairs and culture programs for an extended period. From 1999 to 2008, he was responsible for "Good Country Movement Headquarters." He was in charge of "The Korean's Table" for 14 years from 2011 until last year.

He was active in social contribution. In particular, he devoted himself to children and youth for over 40 years. After forming a connection with the Green Umbrella Children's Foundation through personal sponsorship in the early 1980s, he served as the nationwide patron chairperson.

The deceased also contributed to cultural and arts education for juvenile offenders and at-risk youth. He served as director of Zero Camp and contributed to providing opportunities for change to juvenile offenders.

The deceased is survived by his wife, actress Kim Min-ja, son Dongnyeok, and daughter Dongbi.

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