Legendary Actor Lee Soon-jae Passes Away at 91, Leaving a Historic Legacy
Nov 25, 2025
|
The broadcaster was deeply saddened by the sudden obituary of 'national actors', which has penetrated Korean dramas, plays, and movies.
According to the bereaved family, Lee Soon-jae had been working while maintaining health care until recently, but died of old age. Until last year, he appeared in the plays 'Waiting for Godot' and KBS 2TV 'GaeSori' and burned his acting spirit until the last minute.
Born in Hoeryong, North Hamgyong Province in 1934, Lee Soon-jae came to Seoul at the age of four and spent his childhood helping business in Namdaemun Market. It was a generation that experienced both liberation and the Korean War.
While studying philosophy at Seoul National University, he was fascinated by the British actor Lawrence Olivier's film 'Hamlet' and chose to become an actor.
After debuting with the play 'Over the Horizon' in 1956, he became a TBC actor in 1965 and was evaluated as a living history of growing up with Korean broadcasters.
He has appeared in more than 140 dramas and hundreds of films, including minor roles.
He was called a "acting master" to the extent that he once appeared in 30 films a month.
The masterpiece 'What's Love?' remains a legend of Korean dramas, with a top rating of 65 percent.
Lee Soon-jae formed a new fan base with his comic and humane acting and even gained the nickname 'Yadong Soon-jae', enjoying immense popularity beyond generations.
In addition, in the entertainment show 『Grandpas Over Flowers』, he was nicknamed 『straight forward Soonjae』 due to his tireless physical strength and straight steps.
Lee Soon-jae re-entered the stage of the play even before Gu-soon.
He also burned his acting soul through 'Longevity Society' (2016), 'Grandfather Henry and I' (2017), and 'King Lear' (2021).
In particular, he was praised for his perfect performance of a 200-minute 'King Lear' as a '90-year-old miracle'.
In 2023, he made his debut as a director and continued his new challenge by putting 'Seagull' on the big theater with his juniors.
Lee Soon-jae was elected as the 14th member of the National Assembly in 1992 and was involved in politics.
Until recently, he served as a chair professor of acting arts at Gachon University and devoted himself to nurturing his younger students.
Lee Soon-jae continued his active acting activities between stages and broadcasts until he temporarily suspended his activities due to health problems in October last year.
At the 2023 KBS Acting Awards, he also recorded that he was the oldest winner of the grand prize ever.
The exit of a living legend, which penetrated Korean dramas, movies, and entertainment, has left a deep sadness for generations.
narusi@sportschosun.com
