Why was the farewell for the late Choi Bul-am so noisy? From Kim Yong-gun's absence to the buzz over what Yoo Dong-geun and Kim Ji-young wore... heated debate ensued.

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As the late actor Choi Bul-am, known as the Nations Father, passed away, a heated debate ensued among netizens regarding how his final farewell was conducted.Choi Bul-am passed away around 10 p.m. on the 29th of last month while receiving inpatient treatment at a hospital in Gangseo-gu, Seoul. He was 87 years old. His wake was held at the Seoul Asan Medical Center Funeral Hall, and visitors began arriving at 10 a.m. on the 30th. Numerous colleagues paid their respects and stayed throughout the funeral to express their condolences.Kim Min-seok, leader of the Democratic Party of Korea; former Prime Minister Kim Boo-kyum; former Minister of Culture, Sports and Tourism Yoo In-chon; current Minister of Culture, Sports and Tourism Choi Hwi-young; Seoul Mayor Oh Se-hoon; former Busan International Film Festival Executive Director Kim Dong-ho; actors Na Moon-hee, Kim Sung-hwan, Cha In-pyo, Park Eun-soo, Kim Hye-soo, Kang Seok-woo, Im Hyun-sik, Lee Hong-ryeol, Lee Gye-in, Lee Kyung-jin, Yang Taek-jo, Ko Doo-shim, Kim Hye-ja, and Youn Yuh-jung; singer Jin Sung; Hanbok designer Park Sul-nyeo; and model Lee Hyun-yi were in attendance.What first drew attention was the absence of fellow actor Kim Yong-gun. News spread that he was unavoidably unable to visit the funeral home due to an upcoming major family event. Among netizens, reactions ranged from understanding and sympathizing with Kim Yong-guns position to expressing disbelief, given that his son Ha Jung-woos wedding is still more than a month away and his close relationship with the deceased during his lifetime.Standing before the press looking slightly tipsy after paying his respects, Baek Il-sup spoke about a memorable moment with Choi Bul-am, conveying the close bond they shared with the deceased: We met once or twice a month to have dinner and a glass of soju. Kim Yong-gun, Lee Gye-in, me, and Choi Bul-am. The four of us drank together often.In particular, Baek Il-sup explained, Yong-gun should have come, but isnt his son getting married next month? I guess he felt it was a bit inappropriate to go to a funeral when he is getting married. He contacted me and said, Its a bit awkward, so I told him, Then dont come. My mother also told me not to go to funerals.Later, Kim Yong-gun expressed his devastated feelings in an interview with Yonhap News. He confessed, I dont necessarily believe in superstitions, but I felt heavy-hearted. He is a father and a senior colleague who rightfully should be by my side, and it is difficult to put into words how I feel about not being able to see him off as he departs. He added, Even last night, I prayed with tears, saying, Go to a peaceful place and rest well. I dont know when it will be in the distant future, but I will follow soon, so please rest in peace, Brother.Meanwhile, Yoo Dong-geun and Kim Ji-young became a hot topic due to the issue of their attire for the funeral. Yoo Dong-geun rushed to the wake to pay his respects after finishing filming late at night, appearing at the funeral home without even having time to change out of his work clothes. Although his work attire stood out in a space filled with people dressed in black, his actions—prioritizing his presence at the deceaseds final moments and expressing his condolences—elicited sympathetic reactions.Kim Ji-young, who visited the wake with her actor husband Nam Sung-jin, became a topic of conversation after appearing in a black leather jacket, dark gray denim jeans, and white sneakers. Her black shoulder bag featuring thick gold chain embellishments and somewhat heavy makeup also caught the eye. Kim Ji-young She burst into tears in front of the press after stating, He was such a precious and valuable person to us, and it is so unfortunate that we can no longer see him. I pray that he rests in peace. I hope he will be remembered as a warm and great elder who served as an example to everyone.Some netizens voiced criticism regarding Kim Ji-youngs video of paying her respects. Criticisms were made regarding her somewhat flashy styling, with comments such as, Even if we concede that she didnt have time to change into a suit due to her schedule, there was no need to carry a designer bag with dangling gold chains instead of leaving it in the car, and She could have touched up her makeup. She could have left the bag in the car as well. Online reactions ranged from those arguing that she should have shown proper etiquette to those stating, The heart is what matters, and the heart comes first. Arguments continued, with comments such as, Bok-gils mourning is also too sad.Meanwhile, Choi Bul-am, who debuted in 1967, earned the title of National Actor through dramas such as *Chief Investigator* and *Rural Diary*, and his immense popularity even led to the creation of the Choi Bul-am Series. In 2014, he received the Order of Cultural Merit (Silver Crown) at the 5th Korea Popular Culture and Arts Awards.
As the late actor Choi Bul-am, known as the Nations Father, passed away, a heated debate ensued among netizens regarding how his final farewell was conducted.Choi Bul-am passed away around 10 p.m. on the 29th of last month while receiving inpatient treatment at a hospital in Gangseo-gu, Seoul. He was 87 years old. His wake was held at the Seoul Asan Medical Center Funeral Hall, and visitors began arriving at 10 a.m. on the 30th. Numerous colleagues paid their respects and stayed throughout the funeral to express their condolences.Kim Min-seok, leader of the Democratic Party of Korea; former Prime Minister Kim Boo-kyum; former Minister of Culture, Sports and Tourism Yoo In-chon; current Minister of Culture, Sports and Tourism Choi Hwi-young; Seoul Mayor Oh Se-hoon; former Busan International Film Festival Executive Director Kim Dong-ho; actors Na Moon-hee, Kim Sung-hwan, Cha In-pyo, Park Eun-soo, Kim Hye-soo, Kang Seok-woo, Im Hyun-sik, Lee Hong-ryeol, Lee Gye-in, Lee Kyung-jin, Yang Taek-jo, Ko Doo-shim, Kim Hye-ja, and Youn Yuh-jung; singer Jin Sung; Hanbok designer Park Sul-nyeo; and model Lee Hyun-yi were in attendance.What first drew attention was the absence of fellow actor Kim Yong-gun. News spread that he was unavoidably unable to visit the funeral home due to an upcoming major family event. Among netizens, reactions ranged from understanding and sympathizing with Kim Yong-guns position to expressing disbelief, given that his son Ha Jung-woos wedding is still more than a month away and his close relationship with the deceased during his lifetime.Standing before the press looking slightly tipsy after paying his respects, Baek Il-sup spoke about a memorable moment with Choi Bul-am, conveying the close bond they shared with the deceased: We met once or twice a month to have dinner and a glass of soju. Kim Yong-gun, Lee Gye-in, me, and Choi Bul-am. The four of us drank together often.In particular, Baek Il-sup explained, Yong-gun should have come, but isnt his son getting married next month? I guess he felt it was a bit inappropriate to go to a funeral when he is getting married. He contacted me and said, Its a bit awkward, so I told him, Then dont come. My mother also told me not to go to funerals.Later, Kim Yong-gun expressed his devastated feelings in an interview with Yonhap News. He confessed, I dont necessarily believe in superstitions, but I felt heavy-hearted. He is a father and a senior colleague who rightfully should be by my side, and it is difficult to put into words how I feel about not being able to see him off as he departs. He added, Even last night, I prayed with tears, saying, Go to a peaceful place and rest well. I dont know when it will be in the distant future, but I will follow soon, so please rest in peace, Brother.Meanwhile, Yoo Dong-geun and Kim Ji-young became a hot topic due to the issue of their attire for the funeral. Yoo Dong-geun rushed to the wake to pay his respects after finishing filming late at night, appearing at the funeral home without even having time to change out of his work clothes. Although his work attire stood out in a space filled with people dressed in black, his actions—prioritizing his presence at the deceaseds final moments and expressing his condolences—elicited sympathetic reactions.Kim Ji-young, who visited the wake with her actor husband Nam Sung-jin, became a topic of conversation after appearing in a black leather jacket, dark gray denim jeans, and white sneakers. Her black shoulder bag featuring thick gold chain embellishments and somewhat heavy makeup also caught the eye. Kim Ji-young She burst into tears in front of the press after stating, He was such a precious and valuable person to us, and it is so unfortunate that we can no longer see him. I pray that he rests in peace. I hope he will be remembered as a warm and great elder who served as an example to everyone.Some netizens voiced criticism regarding Kim Ji-youngs video of paying her respects. Criticisms were made regarding her somewhat flashy styling, with comments such as, Even if we concede that she didnt have time to change into a suit due to her schedule, there was no need to carry a designer bag with dangling gold chains instead of leaving it in the car, and She could have touched up her makeup. She could have left the bag in the car as well. Online reactions ranged from those arguing that she should have shown proper etiquette to those stating, The heart is what matters, and the heart comes first. Arguments continued, with comments such as, Bok-gils mourning is also too sad.Meanwhile, Choi Bul-am, who debuted in 1967, earned the title of National Actor through dramas such as *Chief Investigator* and *Rural Diary*, and his immense popularity even led to the creation of the Choi Bul-am Series. In 2014, he received the Order of Cultural Merit (Silver Crown) at the 5th Korea Popular Culture and Arts Awards.

As the late actor Choi Bul-am, known as the "Nation's Father," passed away, a heated debate ensued among netizens regarding how his final farewell was conducted.

Choi Bul-am passed away around 10 p.m. on the 29th of last month while receiving inpatient treatment at a hospital in Gangseo-gu, Seoul. He was 87 years old. His wake was held at the Seoul Asan Medical Center Funeral Hall, and visitors began arriving at 10 a.m. on the 30th. Numerous colleagues paid their respects and stayed throughout the funeral to express their condolences.

Kim Min-seok, leader of the Democratic Party of Korea; former Prime Minister Kim Boo-kyum; former Minister of Culture, Sports and Tourism Yoo In-chon; current Minister of Culture, Sports and Tourism Choi Hwi-young; Seoul Mayor Oh Se-hoon; former Busan International Film Festival Executive Director Kim Dong-ho; actors Na Moon-hee, Kim Sung-hwan, Cha In-pyo, Park Eun-soo, Kim Hye-soo, Kang Seok-woo, Im Hyun-sik, Lee Hong-ryeol, Lee Gye-in, Lee Kyung-jin, Yang Taek-jo, Ko Doo-shim, Kim Hye-ja, and Youn Yuh-jung; singer Jin Sung; Hanbok designer Park Sul-nyeo; and model Lee Hyun-yi were in attendance.

What first drew attention was the absence of fellow actor Kim Yong-gun. News spread that he was unavoidably unable to visit the funeral home due to an upcoming major family event. Among netizens, reactions ranged from understanding and sympathizing with Kim Yong-gun's position to expressing disbelief, given that his son Ha Jung-woo's wedding is still more than a month away and his close relationship with the deceased during his lifetime.

Standing before the press looking slightly tipsy after paying his respects, Baek Il-sup spoke about a memorable moment with Choi Bul-am, conveying the close bond they shared with the deceased: “We met once or twice a month to have dinner and a glass of soju. Kim Yong-gun, Lee Gye-in, me, and Choi Bul-am. The four of us drank together often.”

In particular, Baek Il-sup explained, “Yong-gun should have come, but isn’t his son getting married next month? I guess he felt it was a bit inappropriate to go to a funeral when he is getting married. He contacted me and said, ‘It’s a bit awkward,’ so I told him, ‘Then don’t come.’ My mother also told me not to go to funerals.”

Later, Kim Yong-gun expressed his devastated feelings in an interview with Yonhap News. He confessed, "I don't necessarily believe in superstitions, but I felt heavy-hearted. He is a father and a senior colleague who rightfully should be by my side, and it is difficult to put into words how I feel about not being able to see him off as he departs." He added, "Even last night, I prayed with tears, saying, 'Go to a peaceful place and rest well. I don't know when it will be in the distant future, but I will follow soon, so please rest in peace, Brother.'"

Meanwhile, Yoo Dong-geun and Kim Ji-young became a hot topic due to the issue of their attire for the funeral. Yoo Dong-geun rushed to the wake to pay his respects after finishing filming late at night, appearing at the funeral home without even having time to change out of his work clothes. Although his work attire stood out in a space filled with people dressed in black, his actions—prioritizing his presence at the deceased's final moments and expressing his condolences—elicited sympathetic reactions.

Kim Ji-young, who visited the wake with her actor husband Nam Sung-jin, became a topic of conversation after appearing in a black leather jacket, dark gray denim jeans, and white sneakers. Her black shoulder bag featuring thick gold chain embellishments and somewhat heavy makeup also caught the eye. Kim Ji-young She burst into tears in front of the press after stating, "He was such a precious and valuable person to us, and it is so unfortunate that we can no longer see him. I pray that he rests in peace. I hope he will be remembered as a warm and great elder who served as an example to everyone."

Some netizens voiced criticism regarding Kim Ji-young's video of paying her respects. Criticisms were made regarding her somewhat flashy styling, with comments such as, "Even if we concede that she didn't have time to change into a suit due to her schedule, there was no need to carry a designer bag with dangling gold chains instead of leaving it in the car," and "She could have touched up her makeup. She could have left the bag in the car as well." Online reactions ranged from those arguing that she should have shown proper etiquette to those stating, "The heart is what matters, and the heart comes first." Arguments continued, with comments such as, "Bok-gil's mourning is also too sad."

Meanwhile, Choi Bul-am, who debuted in 1967, earned the title of "National Actor" through dramas such as *Chief Investigator* and *Rural Diary*, and his immense popularity even led to the creation of the "Choi Bul-am Series." In 2014, he received the Order of Cultural Merit (Silver Crown) at the 5th Korea Popular Culture and Arts Awards.