Actor Jung Il-woo broke down in tears and sobbed at the funeral service for the late Lee Soon-jae.
On the 27th at 5:30 a.m., a funeral service and send-off for national actor Lee Soon-jae were held at the Asan Medical Center funeral hall in Songpa District, Seoul.
Many fellow actors and colleagues attended the service that day; Jeong Bo-seok from MBC's legendary sitcom "High Kick Through the Roof" presided over the service, and Kim Young-chul and Ha Ji-won delivered eulogies, respectively. In addition, Jung Il-woo and Jung Joon-ha from "Unstoppable High Kick," as well as Jeong Dong-hwan, Yoo Dong-geun, Choi Soo-jong, Lee Won-jong, Kim Na-woon, and former Minister of Culture, Sports and Tourism Yoo In-chon attended to see the deceased off on his final journey.
Especially, Jung Il-woo, who debuted in the 2006–2007 broadcast "Unstoppable High Kick," played Lee Soon-jae's grandson at the time and rose to stardom overnight with that work. Even after the series ended, the two often played golf or met privately, maintaining their relationship. Upon hearing the news of his death, Jung was deeply shocked and rushed to attend the funeral service.
Jung Il-woo, overcome with emotion while watching the funeral, cried profusely and sobbed as if he had lost his actual grandfather, making onlookers feel sorrow. For a long time he could not raise his head and only wiped away his flowing tears.
Earlier, on the 26th Jung Il-woo posted on his personal social media, I was truly honored to be able to share the moment when I took my first steps as an actor with you, teacher. I will not forget the lessons and the heart you taught me and will always reflect on them and continue to improve on my path, he wrote, adding, I am sorry time passed without my visiting. I am deeply grateful for all the kindness you have shown me. I pray you rest in peace. I love you, grandfather, and released a photo taken with Lee Soon-jae.
Photos from the deceased's life showing tender grandfather-and-grandson moments with Jung Il-woo made viewers even more emotional and evoked memories for many viewers who still love and remember the "High Kick" series.
According to the bereaved family, the late Lee Soon-jae passed away in the early hours of the 25th. He was 91.
The government posthumously awarded him the Geumgwan Cultural Medal immediately after his death, and after the funeral service and send-off, Lee Soon-jae's funeral procession headed to his burial site at Eden Paradise in Icheon.
[Photo] Photo joint news coverage team
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