Veteran South Korean actor Choi Bool-am died on October 29, 2026, around 10 p.m., according to Yonhap News. He was 77 years old at the time of his death, and he had been receiving rehabilitation treatment at a hospital after back disc surgery in March of last year.

Who was Choi Bool-am?

Choi Bool-am was one of the most recognizable faces in Korean television for decades. Culture Minister Choi Hwi-young remembered him for three landmark roles: the upright Detective Park in Investigation Team Leader, the warm father in Countryside Life, and the steady narrator of the food documentary Korean Dining Table.

How did the culture minister remember him?

In a message posted on social media on October 30, Minister Choi called him a great senior and a pillar of Korea's culture and arts community. The minister said that he had been a warm memory for people across generations. She also recalled visiting him in the hospital in June, when he greeted her with his characteristic hearty laugh and promised to share a glass of makgeolli once he was discharged.

For international fans

Countryside Life is the show most often associated with Choi Bool-am's name abroad, and it is a good starting point for fans new to his work. Availability of his titles on streaming services varies by country and changes over time, so check the platform in your region for current options.