Father of Korean comedy Jeon Yu-seong memorials continue… upon news of Lee Soon-jae's worsening health, "wish you long health"
'About a month after the death of the late Jeon Yu-seong, the father of Korean comedy, voices of mourning for him still continue. At the same time, recent reports of actor Lee Soon-jae's health problems have deepened worry and longing for the two senior artists loved by the public.
Jeon Yu-seong was a figure who reshaped the landscape of Korean comedy beyond being a simple comedian. In the 1970s he gained fame as a writer by writing scripts for TBC's Show Show Show, and he was the first to propose and popularize the term 'gagman' instead of 'comedian.' He then performed on KBS's Humor No. 1 and Show Video Jockey, opening new genres called 'slow gag' and 'intellectual gag.' He also laid the foundations for Gag Concert and People Looking for Laughter, expanded the scope of Korean comedy as honorary chairman of the Busan International Comedy Festival, and by establishing the Cheolgabang Theater in Cheongdo.
Meanwhile, on the afternoon of the 23rd at the National Theater Haeoreum Theater in Jangchung-dong, Seoul, his last interview was revealed at the 2025 Korea Popular Culture and Arts Awards ceremony. The timing was Sept. 22, three days before the late Jeon Yu-seong closed his eyes, because news of his receiving the Order of Cultural Merit, Ok-gwan was announced. He left the words "I think it's an immense honor that this award passed through me, since when seniors receive awards, our juniors can receive them too," saying "thank you" while breathing heavily until his last moments, and internet users showed deep condolences, saying "a real elder who thought of and worried about juniors until the end" and "even his last words resonate."
Meanwhile on the same day, news of actor Lee Soon-jae's worsening health added to the sadness. After withdrawing from last year's play Waiting for Godot and taking three months of rest, he was reported recently to have difficulty moving, raising fans' concerns. Now 90 years old, he has not let go of his passion for acting, but long-term activity stoppage has fueled ongoing rumors about his health problems.
And on the same day, on the stage of the 2025 Korea Popular Culture and Arts Awards, actor Jung Dong-hwan mentioned, "I heard that teacher Lee Soon-jae is not in good health. I hope he fully recovers," and the venue fell silent for a moment. Because there had been rumors about his health, the worsening of his condition became accepted as a fact. Online, supportive comments poured in such as "Losing teacher Jeon Yu-seong was heartbreaking, and now teacher Lee Soon-jae is sick too, my heart is heavy," and "Please recover and I want to see you on stage and in dramas again."
Two senior artists who represented a generation. One changed the world with laughter, and one reflected life through acting. Along with mourning the late Jeon Yu-seong, the public sincerely hopes for the recovery of Lee Soon-jae, who is currently fighting illness.
Lee Soon-jae debuted in 1956 in the drama I Too Shall Become Human and continued nearly 70 years of activity, appearing in many masterpieces such as Heo Jun, Yi San, High Kick!, and The Red Sleeve. Because his footprint on Korean drama and theater history is so large, his recovery is a long-standing wish of the public. Although Lee Soon-jae, who has temporarily left the stage, has not appeared before the public in good health, everyone awaits the day he returns in good health with one heart.
[Photo] Broadcast screen capture, OSEN DB
[OSEN]