National actor Lee Soon-jae, who left a significant mark on the history of Korean drama·theater, has died. He was 91.
According to his family, Lee Soon-jae passed away in the early morning of the 25th. Because there had been repeated reports of health problems during his life that raised public concern, news of his death brought great shock and sorrow inside and outside the entertainment industry.
His unfortunate news has led to a renewed interest in his "You Quiz on the Block" broadcast.
In a 2024 Apr. broadcast, then 68 years into his career, actor Lee Soon-jae talked about life, death and acting.
When the late actor, who had announced that a fan club was being formed, was asked whether he still did not have one, he said, "There weren't fan clubs in the past. This profession was just treated as entertainers. Even if they actually saw me, they'd say things like 'shorter than Shin Seong-il,'" noting that there was prejudice against celebrities in those days.
Lee Soon-jae, who became the oldest actor in the entertainment industry, said, "An actor is the language of a country. Of course you must know how to read with distinction between long and short sounds," and "An actor's language should be understood by scholars, the uneducated and people living in the countryside alike," conveying the basic literacy an actor should have. He then sent messages of support to his fellow actors Park Geun-hyung and Shin Goo.
Fellow actors were inevitably precious to Lee Soon-jae. Lee Soon-jae said, "Lee Nak-hoon, Kim Dong-hoon, Kim Seong-ok, Kim Soon-cheol, Oh Hyun-kyung, Lee Soon-jae — they are the people who opened TBC. All have gone before. Now only I remain," he said. At the funeral of the late Oh Hyun-kyung, Lee Soon-jae said, "Lee Nak-hoon, Kim Dong-hoon, Kim Seong-ok, Kim Soon-cheol are all there, so have a good reunion, and I will go soon too, so we'll meet soon."
At the time Lee Soon-jae laughed ruefully, saying, "Now you only have to follow me." He said, "I'm old too, so in truth I don't know how life and death will turn out. I joke, but dying while performing would be the happiest thing as an actor," speaking as an actor himself.
But getting older did not lead Lee Soon-jae to speak pessimistically. He did not talk about futility either. Finally, Lee Soon-jae said, "People are born holding different things. But there will be meaning in the place where I was born. Don't belittle yourself. You can climb step by step. In terms of actors, it's Choi Min-sik, Song Kang-ho. Also Ma Dong-seok. You should climb with the conviction and confidence that you can become anything," likening the meaning of life to acting and adding, "Everyone has their own individuality," again emphasizing that every life has light and offering hope.
Meanwhile, after graduating from Seoul National University with a degree in philosophy, Lee Soon-jae debuted in 1956 with the play 'Beyond the Horizon.' Since then he worked across theater·drama·film, active in many fields to the extent that he was called the very development of Korean broadcasting·performing arts. In particular, last year he was recorded as the oldest active recipient of the grand prize at the "2024 KBS Drama Awards," once again proving his presence.
In Oct. of last year he withdrew midway from the play 'Waiting for Godot' due to health problems, raising concerns, and later he also stopped filming the drama 'Nonsense' because of health issues during shooting. Messages of mourning for Lee Soon-jae have been pouring in across the entertainment industry and cultural circles.
[Photo] video capture, provided by KBS
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