'My Grumpy Secretary' (abbreviated as 'My Grumpy Secretary') recalled Lee Soon-jae as Lee Seo-jin reminisced about filming 'Yi San' with Han Jimin.
On the 26th, the SBS entertainment show 'My Grumpy Secretary' (abbreviated as 'My Grumpy Secretary') featured actress Han Jimin appearing like a Christmas gift, delighting viewers. In particular, there was heated interest even before the broadcast in the reunion with Lee Seo-jin, with whom she formed a bond through the 2007 MBC drama 'Yi San.'
That day the two naturally recalled the 'Yi San' days when they worked together. Han Jimin recalled the grueling shoot at the time, saying, "We filmed for more than a year. If we went back, I don't think we could shoot it again," and Lee Seo-jin agreed, saying, "It was really that hard."
Lee Seo-jin in particular brought up the script and remembered the late Lee Soon-jae. He recalled, "Back then the script would come out at dawn and we would go into the shoot in the morning. In that situation almost no one properly studied the script," adding, "But Lee Soon-jae senior was the only one who had memorized everything," which drew attention. He said the image of that senior, whom he had always respected, left an even deeper impression.
Han Jimin expressed surprise, saying, "But Lee Seo-jin sunbaenim also rarely gets NGs even without practicing. His mind is really sharp. I always wondered when he memorized everything," and Lee Seo-jin offered warm compliments toward each other, saying, "Jimin, who endured for a long time, is really admirable."
Lee Seo-jin's single word of respect for Lee Soon-jae, conveyed amid a pleasant reunion with Han Jimin, struck viewers' hearts as another deep echo left by 'Yi San.'
The bond between Lee Seo-jin and the late Lee Soon-jae continued offscreen as well. Lee Seo-jin narrated a documentary and spent a long time with Lee Soon-jae through the drama 'Yi San' and the variety show 'Grandpas Over Flowers.' In particular, Lee Seo-jin's role as the "porter" who packed Lee Soon-jae's luggage and led the way on 'Grandpas Over Flowers' left a deep impression on many.
Lee Seo-jin has expressed such special respect for Lee Soon-jae in the past that he said, "If I am born again, I want to be born as the teacher's son." While recording a narration, he began, "There is something I really want to tell the teacher," and when he read the final sentence his voice choked and he said, "Teacher… I'm sorry I could not join this trip," bursting into tears, an anecdote that moved many. His sorrow was conveyed through the narration alone and reportedly even moved the on-site staff to tears.
Meanwhile, veteran actor Lee Soon-jae, who served as an exemplary figure to juniors and the public as the oldest active actor, passed away peacefully at age 91 in the early hours of Nov. 25 last month. As the late figure devoted his life to acting and worked hard to train juniors, when news of his death spread many juniors visited the funeral hall to see him off on his final journey.
Even after the late man's departure, each word Lee Seo-jin delivered contained enduring respect and longing. His sincerity, as a "porter" and as a junior actor who stayed by his side, continues to leave a deep impression on viewers.<
[Photo] 'OSEN DB, SNS, broadcast screen'
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