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 bereaved family, Lee Soon-jae passed away in the early morning of the 25th. Because repeated rumors about his poor health during his lifetime had raised public concern, news of his death sent a strong shock through the entertainment industry and beyond.
Korea's acting community was a "living history," with an acting career that spanned nearly 70 years, and he remained an active actor who stood before stages and cameras.
Lee Soon-jae graduated from Seoul National University with a degree in philosophy and debuted in 1956 in the play "Beyond the Horizon." Since then, moving among theater·drama·film, he was active in many fields, to the point of being called the development of Korean broadcasting·performing arts itself.
Especially last year, at the "2024 KBS Drama Awards," he was recorded as the oldest living recipient of the grand prize, proving his presence once again.
Last October, concerns were raised when he left the play "Waiting for Godot" midway due to health problems, and later he also stopped filming during the drama "Nonsense" because of health issues.
At last month's "2025 Korea Popular Culture and Arts Awards" ceremony, actor Jung Dong-hwan mentioned Lee Soon-jae, saying "his health is not good," which brought a somber mood to the venue. Afterward, the public's wishes for his recovery continued, but ultimately they could not prevent his final passing.
Lee Soon-jae left "masterpieces" in every era. The weighty charisma in "Heo Jun," the seasoned acting shown in "Yi San," the cheerful side in the national sitcom "Unstoppable High Kick," and his deep performance in "The Red Sleeve"—in every work he showed a different face and received respect and love that transcended generations.
It is extremely rare for an actor who debuted in the 1950s to still be active on stage and on television in the 2020s. He is a name that directly experienced and led the growth period of the Korean drama industry, the golden age of theater, and the heyday of variety shows·sitcoms.
The void left by the departure of this great elder of the cultural world is enormous. Tribute messages for Lee Soon-jae have continued across the entertainment industry and cultural circles.
[Photo] OSEN DB
[OSEN]