Choi Bul-am's Journey: A Look into the Life of Korea's Beloved Actor

Choi Bul-am, the renowned Korean actor, recently addressed rumors about his health, revealing that he has been unable to participate in documentary filming due to rehabilitation therapy.

On May 5th at 9 PM, MBC will air the first episode of a two-part documentary special titled 'Paha, This is Choi Bul-am' as part of their Family Month programming.

This special documentary is crafted in a radio format, reflecting on Choi Bul-am's life and acting career through music. Actor Park Sang-won, who played Choi's eldest son in the MBC drama 'You and I' (1997-1998), will serve as the presenter.

The first episode delves into the personal life of Choi Bul-am, beyond his public persona as a 'national actor.' It will showcase moments from his life where he dreamed, loved, and pondered as an individual, not just as an actor known for playing fatherly roles.

Understanding 'the man Choi Bul-am' begins in the 1950s in Myeongdong. As a middle school student, Choi was influenced by contemporary artists like poet Park In-hwan and painter Lee Jung-seop, which nurtured his artistic sensibilities. These early encounters with artists became a crucial foundation for his future as an actor.

The documentary also highlights Choi's unique passion for acting. In his 20s, as a theater actor, he once asked a fellow actor with a lengthy monologue to share some lines with him. When his request was denied, Choi found an unexpected way to make his presence felt during the performance. This anecdote illustrates the young actor's desire to prove himself, even with a single line, and his passion for expressing more on stage, which later became the starting point for his journey as a 'national actor.'

Choi's distinctive acting career, where he often portrayed characters much older than himself, is also explored. He played roles such as the uncle of the late actor Shin Sung-il, who was three years older, and the father of the late actor Lee Soon-jae, who was five years older. Choi constantly pondered how to convincingly bridge the gap between his actual age and the characters he portrayed.

In 'Chief Inspector,' Choi faced similar challenges. He redefined the detective character by moving away from the traditional authoritative image, instead portraying a warm-hearted detective, Park.

Choi's role in the drama 'You and I,' which depicted a middle-aged love triangle, also stands out. He showcased a different emotional range, diverging from his usual 'father' image, which sparked public interest and even led to citizen surveys. The documentary reveals the diverse facets of Choi Bul-am beyond the familiar 'national father' image.

This special documentary is an autobiographical project in which Choi actively participated from the planning stage. Since July last year, he has engaged in extensive discussions with the production team about the stories and messages to be conveyed in 'Paha, This is Choi Bul-am.' He emphasized capturing not only his personal life but also the changing landscape of Korean society.

The production team coordinated filming schedules with Choi until recently, but due to his family's request for him to focus on rehabilitation, he did not appear on camera. However, the documentary is said to fully convey his intended message, and Choi plans to greet viewers through MBC once his rehabilitation is complete.

Meanwhile, Choi stepped down from 'Korean Table,' a show he led for 14 years, last year, sparking health concerns. His representatives clarified, "He underwent back surgery for a herniated disc last year and has been in rehabilitation since. His health is stable."

By Tae Yuna, Ten Asia Reporter youyou@tenasia.co.kr