Former lawmaker and national actor Lee Soon-jae dies…a 'national mourning' mourned even by the president
Veteran actor and former 14th National Assembly member Lee Soon-jae has passed away. According to the bereaved family, he died in the early morning of the 25th at the age of 90.
Lee Soon-jae graduated from Seoul National University's department of philosophy and debuted in 1956 in the play "Beyond the Horizon." Afterwards he starred in numerous masterpieces such as "Heo Jun," "Yi San," "Unstoppable High Kick," and "The Red Sleeve," writing a new chapter in the acting world. With vigorous activities across theater·drama·variety, he earned the epithet "the national actor Korea loved," and last year at the 2024 Korea Broadcasting System (KBS) Drama Awards he was recorded as the oldest active winner of the grand prize.
#.Health decline led to suspension of activities…concerns continued until recently
However, in October last year he left midrun from the play "Waiting for Godot to wait" due to health issues, and he also paused activities briefly during filming of the drama "Nonsense" because of health problems. At last month's Korea Popular Culture and Arts Awards ceremony, actor Jeong Dong-hwan noted, "Teacher Lee Soon-jae was not well enough to come," creating a solemn atmosphere at the event.
Although public support continued, when the news of his death was finally delivered, messages of mourning poured out explosively.
#.The president also paid respects…"a person who raised the dignity of Korea's culture and arts throughout his life"
In particular, this death prompted even the president to express condolences directly, creating a "national mood of mourning."
President Lee Jae-myung, who was on a state visit to Türkiye, immediately left a message on social media, and at the funeral home a large condolence wreath labeled "President Lee Jae-myung" arrived first, drawing attention.
The president paid tribute to the deceased as follows. "I offer my deep condolences on the death of national actor Lee Soon-jae." "A person who devoted his life to acting and raised the dignity of Korea's culture and arts." "The teacher's expressions and voice remain vivid. Please rest in peace."
The president's prompt mourning is a very unusual act, and online reactions continue with comments such as, "This is what it means for the nation to properly pay respects," and "Lee Soon-jae was a moral elder beyond acting."
#.Mourning from political circles as well…"His entry into politics was to act, and that was his sincerity"
Lee Soon-jae was elected as the 14th National Assembly member in 1992 and entered politics, but politics was not a place where he stayed long.
He once said in life, "I was not happy even once during eight years of political life. My path was acting. I had nothing but acting," explaining why he returned to being an actor.
Nevertheless, tributes from both ruling and opposition parties have continued in the political world, with assessments such as, "It is understandable why he chose acting over politics," and "Lee Soon-jae's whole life was art."
#.A line of tributes from the pop music, culture and broadcasting worlds
Waves of mourning are continuing in the pop music·film·broadcasting worlds as well. "A person like a life textbook beyond acting." "He was a warm elder to everyone." "The teacher never once lost his manners." Longtime staff who worked with him choked up as they recalled him, and fellow actors are visiting the funeral home one after another.
The public is also mourning, saying, "A father of the nation, may you now act in peace on the stage in heaven." Online comments include "A person who made the nation laugh and cry all his life…before actor he was a father of the nation," "Of course he deserved the Geumgwan Order of Cultural Merit. It's fortunate it wasn't too late," "May he act happily on the heavenly stage as well," and "A person who carried dignity in both politics and acting…deeply missed."
For nearly 70 years, Lee Soon-jae stood at the center of Korean art in all areas from theater·drama·film·education. Going forward, he will remain in Korean cultural history for a long time through his characters in works, his teachings, and his dignified attitude on set.
The funeral rites will be at 6:20 a.m. on the 27th, and the burial site is Eden Paradise in Icheon.
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