South Korean Minister of Culture, Sports and Tourism Choi Hwi-young visited veteran actor Choi Bul-am at a hospital on June 11, 2026, to offer encouragement during his ongoing rehabilitation. The 86-year-old actor, widely known as the “national father” of Korean cinema, has been undergoing treatment following a series of health challenges, including a spinal disc surgery last year.
Minister’s Hospital Visit and Personal Exchange
Minister Choi Hwi-young shared details of the visit via his social media accounts on June 13, 2026, providing a rare update on the actor’s condition. The minister was accompanied by Mo Eun-young, the director of the Korean Film Archive, as reported by the Yonhap News Agency. The actor’s wife, actress Kim Min-ja, was present at the bedside to receive the guests.
Minister Choi noted that despite the actor’s physical limitations, his spirit remained high. He specifically highlighted the actor’s iconic, hearty laugh, which served as a sign of his improving morale. “I was greatly reassured by his signature ‘Pa-ha’ laugh,” the minister wrote, according to the Dong-A Ilbo. During their conversation, the actor discussed a range of topics, including contemporary societal issues, art, and religion.
The visit underscores the cultural significance Choi Bul-am holds within the South Korean landscape. As a figure who has graced television screens for over five decades, his health status often draws national attention. The Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism frequently engages with cultural icons to demonstrate institutional support for the arts, particularly for those who have defined the golden age of Korean broadcasting.
Recalling the Legacy of ‘Eun-seong’
A poignant moment during the visit occurred when the conversation turned to the actor’s mother and her historical connection to the arts community. Minister Choi mentioned the “Eun-seong” (Silver Star) tavern, which the actor’s mother once operated. The establishment was famously known as a sanctuary for impoverished artists in earlier decades.
“When I brought up the story of the tavern ‘Eun-seong’ (銀星) once run by his mother, he smiled very brightly. ‘Eun-seong’ was a place long ago called an agit for poor artists.”
Choi Hwi-young, Minister of Culture, Sports and Tourism, via the Herald Business
The minister also revealed a lighthearted promise between the two: they agreed to share a drink of makgeolli once the actor is discharged from the hospital. As reported by the Hankook Ilbo, the actor’s career spans decades, marked by iconic roles in television dramas such as “Chief Inspector” and “Country Diaries,” and his long-running tenure as the host of the KBS program “Korean Cuisine.” “Country Diaries,” in particular, remains one of the longest-running dramas in Korean television history, cementing Choi’s image as a paternal figure in the national consciousness.
Restoring Cinematic History
Beyond the personal visit, the meeting served as an opportunity to honor the actor’s contribution to Korean cinema. The Minister and the Korean Film Archive director presented Choi Bul-am with a Blu-ray edition of the 1980 film “The Last Witness,” in which he played the lead role of Hwang-bau. The film is a significant piece of Korean cinematic history, having been heavily censored and edited upon its original release due to the political climate of the era, which often restricted content deemed unfavorable by authorities.
According to the Munhwa Ilbo, the Korean Film Archive successfully restored the original footage in 2003, releasing a 154-minute version that adhered closer to the director’s original vision. The Blu-ray version was subsequently released in 2017. The actor received the Best Actor award at the 1st Korean Film Critics Association Awards for his performance in the film, making the gift particularly resonant.
The involvement of the Korean Film Archive in this visit highlights the ongoing efforts to preserve Korea’s film heritage. The Archive serves as the primary institution for safeguarding the nation’s cinematic legacy, often working to restore damaged negatives and bring lost or censored versions of classic films back into public view. By presenting this specific title to Choi, the delegation acknowledged not only his acting prowess but his participation in works that challenged the boundaries of their time.
Health Status and Future Outlook
The actor’s health has been a subject of public interest since he stepped down from his hosting duties on “Korean Cuisine” last year. While reports of his condition have varied, sources indicate that he is currently focused on rehabilitation. A representative for the actor’s social organization, Zero Camp, noted that the actor and his family had previously been private about his medical struggles, though they have recently become more open as his recovery progresses.
Although he currently relies on a wheelchair due to spinal issues, medical indicators are reported to be normalizing. Family members and associates involved in his care anticipate that he may be able to be discharged from the hospital as early as next month. This recovery process is closely followed by the public, as Choi’s departure from the screen marked the end of an era for many viewers who associated his presence with consistency and comfort in the changing landscape of Korean media.
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