ENTERTAINMENT
South Korean Acting Legend Lee Soon-jae Passes Away at 91; President Lee Jae-myung Pays Tribute
On the 25th, President Lee took to his official social media to pay tribute, stating, "I wish peace for the great star of South Korea's cultural and artistic world, Lee Soon-jae." He praised the actor for his lifelong dedication to acting, which elevated the dignity of Korean culture and arts, and for bringing laughter, emotion, comfort, and courage through his work in theater, film, and television.
President Lee continued, "As Mr. Lee once said, acting is a companion to life that captures the stories of living humans. I believe acting was a channel for him to convey the essence of life to the world." He reflected on Lee's philosophy of acting, his attitude as an actor, and his dignity as an elder, which served as an example to many younger actors and left a lasting impact on everyone.
He also remarked, "The works and messages left by Mr. Lee will be remembered as an important cultural heritage of South Korea. We will remember him as an artist loved by all generations and a national actor. His expressions and voice remain vivid. May he rest in peace."
Lee Soon-jae had taken a break from theater and public appearances since late last year to focus on his health, and he passed away in the early hours of the 25th.
The late actor debuted in 1956 with the play 'Beyond the Horizon' and became a prominent figure in Korean television drama, starting as a KBS talent in 1960 and later as an exclusive actor for TBC in 1965. He portrayed characters through the changing times with profound expressiveness across dramas, films, and theater.
With over 140 appearances, Lee earned the titles 'National Father' and 'National Grandfather' through works like 'What is Love,' 'Men of the Bath House,' 'Hur Jun,' and 'Yi San.' He also left a mark on the variety show 'Grandpas Over Flowers.' Even in his late 80s, he continued to perform challenging plays such as 'King Lear,' 'The Seagull,' and 'Henri Grandpa and I,' earning him the reputation of a 'symbol of veteran actors' and a 'textbook on stage.'
His memorial will be held at Seoul Asan Medical Center in Songpa-gu, Seoul, and he will be laid to rest at Eden Paradise in Icheon.
