'Will be forever remembered as a righteous detective, a warm father figure'
'Will carry forward his spirit of caring for those in the shadows'
President Lee Jae Myung on Friday offered prayers for the late Choi Bool-am, calling the beloved actor "the father of our era."
Lee posted a tribute on X that day, writing, "I express my deepest condolences on the passing of Choi Bool-am, the nation's actor."
"Beginning on the theater stage, you earned the love of the Korean people for many years as Detective Park Yeong-han in 'Susa Banjang' (a TV crime drama) and Chairman Kim in 'Jeonwon Ilgi' (a TV rural family drama)," Lee wrote. "Your image — as a detective who upheld justice and a warm, familiar father figure — will long remain in the hearts of the people."
Lee also reflected on Choi's own words about the craft of acting. "As you once said, 'To become a good actor, one must first become a good person' — you showed us a warmth toward people and the world that went beyond performance," Lee wrote. "I will carry deeply in my heart your spirit of looking after those in society's shadows and turning toward the pain of those in need."
Lee added: "The gentle voice and hearty laughter from the works you appeared in are still vivid in my memory. I will remember you as the father of our era, who stood by the people for so many years."
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