Actor Jung Il-woo could not hold back and sobbed once again at the funeral service and memorial interview for national actor the late Lee Soon-jae. His 모습, having sent off his lifelong mentor, pained the hearts of everyone present.
Earlier, on the 27th at dawn, the funeral service and send-off for the late Lee Soon-jae were held at Asan Medical Center. Among those on the deceased's final path were Jeong Bo-seok, Kim Young-chul, Ha Ji-won, as well as Jung Dong-hwan, Yoo Dong-geun, Choi Soo-jong and other seniors and juniors who led the Korean acting world.
Among them, the figure who drew particular attention was Jung Il-woo. He debuted in 2006–2007 as Lee Soon-jae's grandson in Goongshim 없이 High Kick and, like the relationships in the work, maintained a close bond in real life; he was shocked by the unexpected sad news and rushed over. Throughout the funeral service, he looked at the deceased's portrait and ultimately could not suppress his emotions and sobbed. For a while he could not lift his head and only wiped his flowing tears, looking just like a grandson sending off his real grandfather.
The day before on SNS, Jung Il-woo wrote, "It was an honor to take my first step with teacher… I love you, grandfather," a post that made his feelings, having no time to prepare for the farewell, even more heartrending.
This documentary also showed Lee Soon-jae in his lifetime quietly watching Jung Il-woo's theater performances from the audience when Jung was a rookie. Jung Il-woo said, "He was someone who always came to see the plays I performed. He always told me to keep doing theater and grow." He added, "I want to ask him even now, but since teacher is not here…" and could not finish his sentence.
To the teacher who shaped his life, the most memorable words were, "Don't be conceited; always be an actor like a blank sheet of paper." And at the final question of the interview, when asked if there was anything he had left unsaid, Jung Il-woo bowed his head for a moment and finally broke into the tears he had been holding back. Jung Il-woo said the reason for his tears was, "I feel like I said thank you too many times; I couldn't ultimately say that I love him."
In the end, even in front of the camera he could not continue speaking and sobbed. Jung Il-woo said, "He is the person who laid every foundation that actor Jung Il-woo could build his career on," and vowed he would never forget the teachings he received from his mentor for the rest of his life.
Meanwhile, the late Lee Soon-jae passed away at the age of 91 on the 25th. The government immediately awarded the Geumgwan Cultural Medal, and amid mourning from bereaved family, disciples and countless junior actors, the funeral procession headed to Eden Paradise in Icheon.
The deceased's bier was carried directly by the disciples he loved in his lifetime. This May on Teacher's Day, when the disciples came with a cake and sang for him, the documentary revealed Lee Soon-jae silently smiling and expressing gratitude. Half a year later, the sight of those disciples carrying their teacher's coffin and walking the final path together made everyone even more saddened.
[Photo] 'OSEN DB. Broadcast screen'
[OSEN]