Choi Bool-am, Song Hae conferred cultural merit

Song Hae

• Published Nov 18, 2014 4:57 PM KST
• Updated Nov 18, 2014 4:57 PM KST

By Kwon Ji-youn

Veteran actor Choi Bool-am and TV host Song Hae were conferred Eungwan (Silver Crown) Orders of Cultural Merit, the second highest artistic recognition, for their contributions to Korean popular culture, Monday.

“I’ve always thought that if the broadcasting is good, it will help make the country a better place to live,” choi said. “I’ve expressed anger at the way in which broadcasters focused on raising viewer ratings with sensational ideas. Korea is now a great country, so I hope that all those sitting here will work to live up to the country’s reputation.”

“I would also like to thank my wife for all her support,” Choi added. Choi’s wife Kim Min-ja is a renowned actress who appeared in hit dramas like the 1995 “A Place in the Sun” on KBS. They have been married since 1970.

Choi, 74, has appeared in films like “Armageddon” (1996) and “Le Grand Chef” (2007), as well as dramas including “You and I” (1997) “Happy Ending” (2012) and “Road Number One” (2010).

He is best known for having led two of the most important TV dramas in the history of Korean broadcasting _ “Countryside Life,” the longest-running drama in Korea from 1980 through 2002; and “Police Chief,” one of the first Korean dramas that followed the lives of police officers. It ran from 1971 through 1989. At the height of its popularity in the mids-1980s, viewer rating shot up to 70 percent. The National Police Agency named Choi an honorary senior superintendent in 2012.

“I would like to honor those who came out and enjoyed our show, whether it rained or snowed,” Song said upon receiving the award at the Korean Popular Culture and Arts Award ceremony. “I would also like to thank all my colleagues for their support.”

Song, 87, has served as presenter of “Nationwide Singing Contest,” the country’s longest-running TV show broadcast on KBS, for 26 years since 1988.

The Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism and the Korea Creative Content Agency hosted the Korean Popular Culture and Arts Award ceremony.