Entertainment · Celebrity · 2 hrs ago
Actor Choi Bul-am Dies at 87 After Receiving Final Catholic Rite
South Korean actor Choi Bul-am died on Oct.
29 at age 87.
Days earlier, on Oct.
20, Cardinal Yeom Soo-jung visited him in a hospital in Seoul’s Gangseo District and administered the Catholic sacrament of the sick.
This rite is given to ill or seriously unwell Catholics as a prayer for grace and salvation.
Choi’s relationship with the cardinal began in 2018, when Yeom baptized him into the Catholic Church.
Choi chose Francis as his baptismal name, inspired by the saint’s service to people in need.
Yeom is due to lead Choi’s funeral Mass on Nov.
2, before the actor’s funeral procession.
The five-day funeral will honor Choi’s lifelong commitment to the happiness and future of children and young people.
Actor Choi Bul-am died at age 87 on the night of October 29, after receiving the Catholic sacrament of the sick in hospital.
Cardinal Yeom Soo-jung administered the rite on October 20, days before Choi’s death.
Choi was baptized Catholic in 2018, with Yeom presiding.
Choi’s funeral Mass is scheduled for November 2, with Yeom set to preside.
Choi had undergone surgery for a herniated disc in March 2025 and had been undergoing rehabilitation.
- Who
- Actor Choi Bul-am, whose birth name was Choi Young-han.
- What
- He died at age 87 after receiving the Catholic sacrament of the sick.
- When
- He died on the night of October 29. He received the sacrament on October 20.
- Where
- He died after receiving treatment at a hospital in Seoul’s Gangseo District.
- Why
- Cardinal Yeom Soo-jung administered the sacrament after hearing that Choi was in critical condition.
This story does not have two clearly opposing sides.
Choi was baptized Catholic, with Cardinal Yeom Soo-jung presiding.
Choi underwent surgery for a herniated disc and later worked on rehabilitation.
Yeom visited Choi in hospital and administered the sacrament of the sick.
Choi died at about 10 p.m., aged 87.
Choi’s funeral Mass is scheduled, with Yeom set to preside.
- Age at death
- 87
- Date of death
- October 29, 2026
- Date of sacrament
- October 20, 2026
- Baptism
- October 2018
- Funeral Mass
- Scheduled for November 2, 2026
1 source
What people are saying
Until now, I have committed many wrongs without realizing it, but receiving baptism has allowed me to live a new life.
I thank the cardinal and all Catholics.