Announcer Kim Victoriano, regarding the late Choi Bul-am whom he never met: "I watched it at least 50 times... He is someone I am grateful to."
Announcer Kim Victoriano expressed her gratitude to the late Choi Bul-am.
On the 2nd, Kim Victoriano uploaded a video to her Instagram with the caption, "Today, the funeral mass and burial ceremony for the late actor Choi Bul-am were held."
In the video, she recalled the help she received from the deceased, whom she had never met. She explained her impression of the late actor's narration during his lifetime, stating, "During my time as a KBS announcer, I happened to watch 'The Table of Koreans.' I remember being moved by his narration, which was unconventional yet full of humanity."
She continued, "I would rewatch the broadcast at least 50 times, contemplating what it truly means to convey a message well." She then expressed her gratitude, calling him "a person I am thankful for who had a great influence even on someone as insignificant as me."
Kim Victoriano prayed for the repose of the deceased's soul, adding, "Since I had no direct relationship with him, I hesitated about whether it was appropriate for me to pay my respects, which is why my tribute has been delayed." The late Choi Bul-am passed away at the age of 87 around 10 p.m. on the 29th of last month while receiving inpatient treatment at a hospital in Gangseo-gu, Seoul.
After undergoing surgery for a herniated disc last March, he stepped down from the KBS1 cultural program "Korean Table," which he had hosted for 14 years, due to mobility issues. Although he had focused on rehabilitation treatment since then, his health reportedly deteriorated rapidly recently.
The funeral service was held on the morning of the 2nd at 7:40 a.m. at the funeral hall of Asan Medical Center in Songpa-gu, Seoul.
Meanwhile, Kim Victoriano was born in 1992 and is 35 years old this year. He is currently working at Yonhap News TV.