MBC airs Choi Bul-am tribute documentary he asked for while ill
The memorial broadcast on 30 October revealed that Choi Bul-am phoned producers during treatment in 2025 to request a programme looking back on his life.
MBC aired a memorial broadcast of its documentary 'Paha, This Is Choi Bul-am' on 30 October, a day after the actor Choi Bul-am died, according to joynews24.com.
During the broadcast, the producers disclosed in subtitles that Choi had called them himself in 2025 while receiving treatment to ask for a programme that would look back on his life. He said he wanted to express his gratitude to viewers who had loved him for a long time.
The documentary, which first aired in May 2026, was built as a playlist of his decades-long acting career, revisiting his works and life stories through music and accounts from colleagues.
Choi died around 10 p.m. on 29 October at a hospital in Gangseo-gu, Seoul, after his health worsened rapidly following rehabilitation from back-disc surgery last year.
His funeral is being held over five days as a ChildFund Korea funeral, with the coffin procession at 7:40 a.m. on 2 November at Asan Medical Center in Seoul, followed by a funeral Mass at Yeouido Catholic Church.
Quick answers
When did the documentary 'Paha, This Is Choi Bul-am' first air?
It first aired in May 2026 and was rebroadcast by MBC as a memorial on 30 October 2026.
When is Choi Bul-am's funeral?
The coffin procession is at 7:40 a.m. on 2 November at Asan Medical Center in Seoul, followed by a funeral Mass at Yeouido Catholic Church.