Actor Lee Soon-jae has passed away, and it is even more heartbreaking that this happened about a month after actor Jung Dong-hwan expressed concern about his health.
The late Lee Soon-jae closed his eyes in the early morning of the 25th. Despite his advanced age, the late Lee Soon-jae remained active; from the end of last year he was beset by reports of health problems, canceled theater activities and other engagements, and focused on rest and recovery.
The late Lee Soon-jae, who had repeatedly shown he was still robust despite repeated health rumors, revealed his vigor. News of his passing is even more poignant because it came about a month after actor Jung Dong-hwan mentioned his health.
At the 16th Republic of Korea Popular Culture and Arts Awards ceremony held at the Haerum Theater of the National Theater in Jangchung-dong, Seoul, on Oct. 23, Jung Dong-hwan received the Bogwan Order of Cultural Merit and said, "I tend to do strange, not-very-funny, long plays. Among them, works like The Brothers Karamazov run for seven and a half hours. I have performed that work countless times, and there was someone who came to encourage me without ever missing a single performance. It pains me that that person is not here today," and added, "It seems his health is not good now. It is teacher Lee Soon-jae. I earnestly wish for his recovery. Thank you very much."
At the time, Lee Soon-jae's side told OSEN, "There is nothing wrong with his health. His legs are a bit weak, so his mobility is difficult, and because he is an actor he preferred not to show that side to the public and refused visits. It is not a health problem at all."
After news of the late Lee Soon-jae's passing, Jung Dong-hwan recalled the time in a phone conversation with OSEN. Jung Dong-hwan said, "At the time we were told visits were not allowed, so I heard about (Lee Soon-jae's health condition) through the school and others. His side said only that his leg was a bit uncomfortable, perhaps to lessen worries; I wanted to believe that, but I thought it would not be easy. He was not someone who would stay still just because he was a little uncomfortable. So I thought the situation must be quite bad. Recently I heard that he was having a lot of difficulty around the school and broadcast stations."
He added, "Before he became a little ill, teacher Lee Soon-jae exercised as much as younger people and was active. He gave school lectures and took part in theater performances, TV drama and various events, so he did not seem the type to suddenly collapse. But with his passing, it made me think that we humans cannot avoid this fate, I suppose."
Jung Dong-hwan, who worked with Lee Soon-jae on productions such as Cheonmyeong, the era of the three Kims, The Age of Wild Men and Immortal Yi Sun-shin, recalled, "It was remarkable that I could see him wherever I went. I thought he was a person with tremendous passion and energy. We once did a daytime drama together, and when it ended late at night I would be thinking about going out to have fun, but the teacher would be holding a book. When I asked where he was going, he said he was going to school. I saw him go to places where the students who were in lecture were staying up all night preparing and join them, and I thought he was truly amazing. A few years later, when Gachon University opened the department of theater and film, President Lee Gil-yeo invited the teacher and brought me along. So we were at the school together for a long time. Especially because my plays involve humanities aspects and are difficult and have long running times, he never missed coming to encourage me."
Jung Dong-hwan expressed deep condolences, saying, "He never missed coming to encourage me even though my plays include humanities elements and are difficult with long running times. He lived his life doing his best; since he did his utmost, I hope he can rest peacefully and happily wherever he goes."
Meanwhile, the late Lee Soon-jae's funeral wake will be set up in room 30 of the funeral hall at Asan Medical Center. The funeral procession will be held at 6:20 a.m. on the 27th, and the burial site is Eden Paradise in Icheon.
[OSEN]