The late national actor Lee Soon-jae, who symbolized South Korea's theater and broadcasting world, passed away in his sleep early on the 25th. He was 91. News of his death left longtime colleagues and countless viewers heartbroken. In particular, PD Na Young-seok, who directed the variety show "Grandpas Over Flowers," choked up at an official event and expressed deep condolences for the deceased.
#. Na Young-seok PD choked up at the press conference
At the Netflix production presentation for Three Idiots in Kenya held on the 25th, Park Kyung-rim cautiously announced the obituary as soon as the event began. "This morning, teacher Lee Soon-jae passed away. We extend our deepest condolences," she said. Upon hearing those words, PD Na Young-seok was unable to speak for a while. He managed to open his mouth and said, "I was so shocked to receive the call this morning. I had heard his health had not been good over the past year, but I never imagined it would be this sudden… I'm bewildered and my heart is heavy," revealing deep shock and sorrow.
He then recalled the times he spent with Lee on "Grandpas Over Flowers." "We traveled together, I visited him at theater performances… I saw him often in private. He was someone who always said, 'I want to be on stage until the end.'" he said, adding, "He showed by example how valuable it is to work diligently. Teacher, please rest in peace there," wiping his eyes as the scene fell silent.
#. Channel Sibo-ya also mourns: "our eternal grandpa of flowers"
That afternoon, Na Young-seok PD's YouTube channel Channel Sibo-ya posted on social media a message honoring the deceased along with nostalgic photos from "Grandpas Over Flowers." It said, "We mourn our eternal grandpa of flowers, teacher Lee Soon-jae, with deepest condolences. We will never forget all the time and all the lessons shared with the teacher."
The released photos showed the late actor smiling brightly and enjoying trips during filming of "Grandpas Over Flowers" in Spain, France and Taiwan, which made fans' hearts ache even more.
#. Baek Il-seob: "He couldn't even drink… he would say 'let's go together,' that older brother"
Baek Il-seob, a member of "Grandpas Over Flowers" and a longtime friend, also expressed his heavy feelings in a phone call with OSEN. "I learned from the news. It's so empty. After dinner, when we said 'let's go for round two,' he would always come along. Even though he couldn't drink, he would say, 'Just come along,' and always wanted to be with the juniors," he said.
He added that he had recently tried to check on him in person but couldn't reach him, saying, "I suggested calling brother Park Geun-hyung, but he didn't pick up. I thought he was in rehab and would be out soon… and yet he passed like this."
#. "A grandpa more beautiful than flowers"… a final farewell
Through "Grandpas Over Flowers," he traveled the world and showed a warmer smile than anyone. To juniors he was a dependable elder; to viewers he was the nation's actor, Lee Soon-jae. As Na Young-seok PD said, "He proved throughout his life how valuable it is to work diligently," and he beautifully concluded a long and great journey of 91 years.
Meanwhile, Lee Soon-jae graduated from Seoul National University with a degree in philosophy and debuted in theater in 1956 with "Beyond the Horizon." The number of works he left across theater, drama and film is vast beyond counting, including Donguibogam, What Is Love, Men of the Bathhouse, Heo Jun, Lee San, High Kick Through the Roof, High Kick, the play King Lear, Death of a Salesman, and Long Live the Island Shop, among countless others.
He notably made history last year by winning the grand prize at the KBS Drama Awards as the oldest active recipient.
However, he stepped down from the play Waiting for Godot in October last year due to health issues, raising concerns, and after repeatedly recovering and resting until recently, he ultimately passed away.
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