The final farewell message left by the late national actor Choi Bul-am before his passing has been revealed, bringing deep emotion to fans.
On the November 1 broadcast of the KBS 1TV special documentary ‘Food Table Keeper Choi Bul-am, We Will Remember You’ Part 2, the footsteps of the late actor who led ‘Korean Cuisine’ for 14 years were revisited alongside his warm messages to viewers.
The broadcast highlighted Choi’s journey starting from his first shoot in 2011, spanning 14 seasons across the country. He met numerous people across various regions, delivering the history, time, and the life of our nation embedded within food.
Reflecting on his journey, Choi shared, “I felt the history of our food passed down through oral tradition and the flavors preserved by our descendants. I realized this is what our nation is, and that is why it became a prosperous country.” He also expressed deep affection for the countless mothers he met through food, calling them, “Mothers whom I am grateful for, miss, and want to hug.”>
Above all, Choi confessed that ‘Korean Cuisine’ was the most beautiful broadcasting experience of his life. He expressed deep gratitude to the viewers, saying, “How can I repay the love of the public? I am thankful. Doing this until my body breaks down is my way of repaying that love.” He added with hesitation, “I have more to say, but I can’t think of it.”>
Footage from the filming sites showed Choi warmly embracing elderly citizens he met along the way. One citizen shared, “He feels just like a father,” hugging Choi tightly. The late actor’s genuine love for people and his attentive ear to their stories brought renewed touching moments.
Choi’s footsteps extended beyond South Korea, reaching overseas compatriots in Germany, Mexico, China, the United States, Brazil, Sakhalin, and Kazakhstan to share the taste and longing of their hometowns. Explaining why overseas Koreans cherished ‘Korean Cuisine,’ he noted, “It’s because of homesickness. Since the skies, mountains, seas, people, and food of their hometown all appear, they say they don’t even need to visit home.” Recognizing their deep yearning, he added, “That is such a powerful homing instinct. It’s amazing,” showing deep empathy for compatriots living abroad. Seeing those confronted with hometown food, he confessed, “I wanted to hold onto them and cry; tears welled up.”>
Throughout his life as an actor, what Choi pursued above all was people. He made it his lifelong dream to become an actor who represents the spirit and soul of the Korean people. This philosophy shone through as he illuminated the lives of ordinary neighbors through ‘Korean Cuisine.’ Walking toward people and listening to their stories for 14 years, Choi looked back on the time shared through all seasons of life, expressing his gratitude that every single moment was precious.
In particular, his confession that “looking back, every single moment felt like a gift” left a deep lingering resonance with viewers who had spent years by his side.
Toward the end of the broadcast, Choi left a poignant farewell: “Embracing the warm season, I step down.” It was a calm and touching farewell delivered by the national father who visited countless tables and embraced the lives of so many people. Choi Bul-am passed away on October 29 at the age of 87.
