Choi Bool-am named top actor in KBS 50-year drama survey

Actor Choi Bool-am was voted the most beloved talent by male and female viewers in a KBS survey marking 50 years of Korean drama. The veteran performer, who began his career with the 1959 stage play 'Hamlet', was also selected as the representative male talent for the black-and-white era.

Actor Choi Bool-am has been selected as the top actor by viewers across 50 years of Korean drama. In a survey conducted by KBS regarding 50 years of drama, he was named the number one most beloved talent by both male and female viewers. This honor comes to a man who has been with viewers for approximately 60 years, starting with the stage play 'Hamlet' in 1959. According to the survey results, 'Country Diaries' (ranked 5th overall) and 'Chief Inspector' were chosen as representative dramas of the black-and-white era (1956–1976), a period for which Choi Bool-am was selected as the representative male talent.

The name 'Choi Bool-am' created for 100,000 won and the honorary title of Chief Inspector

Choi Bool-am personally shared anecdotes regarding the career he has built over nearly 30 years of broadcasting. He explained the circumstances under which he began using his current name, Choi Bool-am, instead of his birth name, Choi Young-han. He stated that he paid 100,000 won—a significant sum at the time—to a famous naming studio in Ahyeon-dong to receive the name. He noted the background of the name, saying, "It feels like a difficult gift from Buddha given by my uncle so that I might have a long life."

He also shared an anecdote related to his representative work, 'Chief Inspector.' In 1978, Choi Bool-am was appointed as an honorary superintendent by the police. Regarding this, he revealed that he acted with a sense of responsibility to prevent crime and solve cases for the residents of a Yeouido apartment complex. He shared his experience of working hard for the residents, performing duties similar to an actual detective, such as handing criminals over to detectives rather than compromising with them.

"I even coveted villain roles"... Acting passion hidden behind the 'National Father' image

Over his 30-year acting career, Choi Bool-am has mainly played roles as leaders or intellectual fathers. This led to a perception that he "does not take villain roles," but he confessed, "In fact, I coveted bad roles quite a lot." He looked back on his experience of shining even when taking intense leading roles, mentioning past roles in works such as 'The Third Zone' and 'True Story Theater.'

His tendency to focus particularly on father roles was influenced by his appearance and voice during his youth. He explained that although he did not major in theater, he naturally took on roles as fathers or elderly people due to his voice and mature appearance since his school days. This progression continued, imprinting the symbolic impression of the "eternal father of this era" on the public.

Memories of childhood and family history

Choi Bool-am also shared some memories of his childhood. He mentioned the situation where his father was in China and the process of the family reuniting after liberation. Starting from memories around the age of 6, he explained his upbringing by recalling the family history and the environment experienced by his mother and paternal grandmother.

Regarding this honor, he expressed his feelings, saying, "I believe it is an infinitely shining moment for our family lineage that such an honor has come to me to commemorate the 50th anniversary of Liberation." He also expressed his intention to continue acting steadily, stating his desire to be a good role model for junior actors.

Source: original video (YouTube)