Choi Bool-am was one of South Korea's most respected actors, and his name is closely tied to long-running television and stage work. According to Yonhap News, he began his career in 1959 with the play 'Hamlet' and went on to appear in about 130 TV dramas, about 90 films, and about 55 stage plays.

What was he best known for?

His longest-running role was in the MBC drama 'Countryside Life', which reached its 1,000th episode in 2001. He also hosted the KBS 1TV documentary series 'Korean Table' for 14 years, where he highlighted the wisdom of Korean mothers who fed their families with limited ingredients during hard times.

What did he say about acting?

In a 2001 interview with Yonhap News, he said, "A good actor must first become a good person." In his 2007 essay 'Life Is a Play, and People Are Actors,' he also recalled how his mother protected the dignity of struggling artists by recording their debts under nicknames instead of their real names.

Why did he take a break from acting?

He stepped away from acting for a time after appearing in the SBS drama 'Happy Day' in 2014, returning to the stage in 2018 for the play 'When the Wind Blows and the Stars Shake.' In 2023 he appeared in the tvN story 'Chairman's People.' His former co-star Kim Hye-ja of 'Countryside Life' reportedly expressed regret that he was no longer acting.

For international fans

Choi Bool-am is often called Korea's 'national actor,' and 'Countryside Life' is a key title for understanding Korean television history. Fans outside Korea can look for his work through Korean streaming services or DVD releases, though availability varies by country.