Actor Song Ok-suk mourned the late Lee Soon-jae and shared memories of him.
Song Ok-suk told OSEN on the 25th in a currency that I am very thankful to have been with him for the final part of his life journey, she mourned Lee Soon-jae.
According to the bereaved family, Lee Soon-jae passed away in the early morning of the 25th at the age of 91. Born in Hoeryong, North Hamgyong Province, and a graduate of Seoul High School and Seoul National University department of philosophy, Lee Soon-jae had been beset by rumors of poor health since the end of last year, and he canceled performances in October last year and was unable to attend the Korean PD Awards ceremony held in April.
Actor Song Ok-suk, who worked with Lee Soon-jae on his final drama "Gaesori," recalled, At the time his health was poor and he rested for about a month. In my heart I was anxious because of his age and wondered if he could finish this work, so I prayed a lot. Fortunately he recovered then and completed it, she recalled.
She continued, But he said he was feeling a bit better and would perform Waiting for Godot. I went to see how he was; it was surprising that he acted for two hours, but I felt some of Lee Soon-jae's characteristic energy had waned, so jokingly I said, Shouldn't you rest more? After that performance he said performing was too hard and withdrew. Thinking back on that makes my heart heavy, she said.
Song Ok-suk said of Lee Soon-jae, Actually people around me often said, "You will become the female Lee Soon-jae." I respected him a lot, and I admired that he never gave up and worked hard even into old age. Outwardly I said, "You will become the female Lee Soon-jae," but I often thought I could not even follow half of what he did, she expressed her respect.
In particular, Song Ok-suk said, He told me to remain an actor who kept striving until the end, so I think he will be remembered as an actor who worked hard until the last. When actors are praised for being somewhat good at acting they rest on their laurels, but he told us to keep working and challenging until the end. That really resonates with me today, she said.
Meanwhile, Lee Soon-jae's wake and funeral schedule are reported to be under discussion.
[OSEN]