Actor Jung Dong-hwan mentioned veteran actor Lee Soon-jae, who was swept by "health rumors," on the awards stage and wished for his recovery.
On the afternoon of the 23rd, the 2025 Korea Popular Culture and Arts Awards ceremony was held at the Haeoreum Theater of the National Theater in Jangchung-dong, Seoul. Now in its 16th year, the Popular Culture and Arts Awards is a government commendation hosted by the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism to honor those who have raised the social status and creative motivation of popular culture and arts figures and contributed to industry development.
That day the Bogwan Cultural Medal was awarded to actors Lee Byung-hun and Jung Dong-hwan, respectively. On stage, Jung Dong-hwan hesitated, keeping a long silence during his remarks, then first mentioned the late Jeon Yu-seong, saying, "My friend, a comedian and gagman I did theater with long ago." He continued, "It pains me that my friend is not here today. In fact, on this day in 1965 he stood on the same stage as I did. But he went first, and I remain to receive this award," paying tribute to the deceased.
Then Jung Dong-hwan paused once more and said, "There is another painful matter," bringing up Lee Soon-jae's name. He said, "I do a lot of long, unfunny plays; there was even a 7-and-a-half-hour piece. There was someone who came without fail to encourage me at those performances. But today that person could not come. I understand his health is not good. It is Lee Soon-jae. I fervently wish for his recovery," drawing attention.
Lee Soon-jae is the oldest active actor, approaching 90 this year. Last year he won the grand prize at the 2024 KBS Drama Awards, becoming the oldest winner in the history of the three broadcasters' drama awards.
However, after that he suspended activities, prompting health rumors and public concern. In fact, last year he temporarily halted filming of the drama "Gaesori" due to a deterioration in his health, and he also withdrew midrun from the play Waiting for Godot. Especially in August, actor Park Geun-hyung said at a press conference that "it doesn't seem like a good situation," bringing Lee Soon-jae's health issues back into the spotlight.
Regarding this, OSEN's verification at the time found the health rumors were exaggerated. An associate said, "There is no major health problem. Only his leg strength has weakened, making movement difficult," and added, "The teacher himself does not want to be seen being helped in public, so he politely declines hospital visits. He is now concentrating on rehabilitation."
After winning the 2024 KBS Drama Awards, he became greatly weakened due to overexertion and has been focusing on rehabilitation for about 10 months by that point; he said he was concentrating on rehabilitation because movement was difficult. His agency also expressed a cautious stance, saying, "He needs a lot of encouragement and support."
However, concerns about his condition continue after Jung Dong-hwan's remark again that "his health is not good."
Meanwhile, Lee Soon-jae debuted in 1956 with the drama "Shall I Become Human Too?" and continued his career for nearly 70 years, appearing in numerous masterpieces such as "Heo Jun," "Yi San," "High Kick!" and "The Red Sleeve." Because of the large imprint he left on Korea's drama and theater history, his recovery is also a long-standing wish of the public.
[Photo] video capture / OSEN DB
[OSEN]