ENTERTAINMENT
Veteran Actor Lee Soon-jae Passes Away at 91, Leaving a Legacy in Korean Entertainment
According to his family, he died early on the morning of the 25th. Funeral arrangements have not yet been made. Concerns about his health had been circulating since last year, both within and outside the entertainment industry.
Lee Soon-jae was known for his unwavering dedication to acting, performing across various platforms including television, film, and theater. Until recently, he was actively involved in the play 'Waiting for Waiting for Godot'(고도를 기다리며를 기다리며) and the KBS 2TV drama 'Dog Knows Everything'.
Born in 1934 in Hoeryong, North Hamgyong Province, Lee moved to Seoul with his grandparents at the age of four. His official records list his birth year as 1935. He experienced liberation while helping his grandfather at Namdaemun Market and lived through the Korean War during his first year of high school.
His passion for acting was ignited during his time at Seoul National University, where he studied philosophy. The British actor Laurence Olivier's performance in 'Hamlet' was a pivotal influence in his decision to pursue acting.
Lee made his debut in 1956 with the play 'Beyond the Horizon' and became a first-generation exclusive actor for TBC in 1965, growing alongside the history of Korean broadcasting. He appeared in over 140 major works, including 'I Want to Be Human', 'Dongui Bogam', 'The Era of Three Kims', 'Men of the Bath House', 'The Rustic Period', 'Toji', and 'Mom's Dead Upset'.
Notably, his role as 'Daebal's Father' in 'What is Love' (1991-1992), which achieved a peak viewership rating of 65%, became a symbol of the patriarchal father figure. He consistently appeared in works from the 1970s and 80s such as 'Samo', 'Queen Inmok', 'Wind and Cloud', and 'Independence Gate', and later showcased his exceptional talent in historical dramas like 'The Legendary Doctor Hur Jun', 'The Merchant', and 'Lee San, Wind of the Palace'.
Lee did not rest on his laurels. In his 70s, he broke away from his strict image to deliver comedic performances in sitcoms 'High Kick!' and 'High Kick Through the Roof', earning the affection of younger audiences with his character 'Yadong Soon-jae'. On the variety show 'Grandpas Over Flowers', he was nicknamed 'Straightforward Soon-jae' for his youthful energy and passion.
Approaching his 90s, he delivered profound performances in plays like 'The Long Life Shop', 'My Grandfather Henri', and 'King Lear', where he flawlessly executed 200 minutes of extensive dialogue, earning high praise. In 2023, he ventured into directing with Chekhov's 'The Seagull'.
Until last year, he continued to act in 'Waiting for Waiting for Godot' and the drama 'Dog Knows Everything', demonstrating his dedication to his craft. He was named the oldest recipient of the Grand Prize at the KBS Drama Awards last year.
Beyond acting, Lee was also involved in politics, serving as a member of the 14th National Assembly (Democratic Liberal Party). He was elected in the 1992 general election for Seoul Jungnang-gap. Additionally, he was committed to education, serving as a distinguished professor in the Department of Performing Arts at Gachon University, guiding students until recently.
By Ji-ye Choi, TenAsia Reporter wisdomart@tenasia.co.kr
