Korean acting legend Lee Soon-jae dies at 91

Lee Soon-jae, South Korea's oldest active performer and a towering figure in Korean entertainment for nearly seven decades, died early Tuesday morning, his family confirmed. He was 91 years old.chosun+3

The veteran actor, who appeared in approximately 140 major television dramas alongside numerous films and stage productions, passed away peacefully at his home. Funeral arrangements are still being finalized, according to his family.koreatimes+3

Seven Decades on Stage and Screen

Born in 1934 in Hoeryong, in what is now North Korea, Lee moved to Seoul with his grandparents at age four. After enrolling at Seoul National University to study philosophy, he discovered his calling after watching Laurence Olivier in "Hamlet". He made his stage debut in 1956 with the play "Beyond the Horizon" and joined broadcaster TBC as a first-generation exclusive actor in 1965.chosun+3

Lee's defining performances spanned generations. His role as the stern patriarch in the family drama "What Is Love?" (1991-1992) reached a 65 percent viewership rating and solidified his reputation as the nation's father figure. He took on prominent roles in historical dramas including "Hur Jun" (1999), "Sangdo" (2001), and "Lee San" (2007).chosun+1

In his 70s, Lee shed his serious image for comedic roles in the sitcoms "High Kick!" (2006) and "High Kick Through the Roof" (2009), earning a new generation of fans. He later appeared in the travel reality show "Grandpas Over Flowers" (2013), where his brisk pace earned him the nickname "Straightforward Soon-jae".khan+2

Final Curtain Call

Lee remained active until October 2024, when health issues forced him to withdraw from the play "Waiting for Godot While Waiting". His final public appearance came in January 2025, when he won the KBS Drama Awards Grand Prize for his lead role in "Dog Knows Everything," becoming the oldest-ever recipient of the honor at 90.khan+5

Helped to the stage by fellow actors, Lee remarked, "Living long enough, there comes a day like this". He used his acceptance speech to advocate for evaluating actors on merit rather than age, saying, "Acting should be judged by acting itself, not by popularity or other factors".mk+1

Actor Bae Jeong-nam, who worked with Lee on "Dog Knows Everything," wrote on social media, "It was the greatest honor of my life to work with a teacher I respect so much". Lee also briefly served in politics, winning election to the National Assembly in 1992 as a member of the Democratic Liberal Party. He taught at Gachon University as a distinguished professor until recently.koreatimes+7