Lee Soon-jae, one of Korea's most revered actors and a towering figure in the nation's entertainment industry, passed away Tuesday morning at the age of 91. The veteran performer, who worked continuously for nearly seven decades, had remained active until late 2024 when health issues forced him to step back from his demanding schedule.
Even in his final years, Lee maintained an extraordinary work ethic that had defined his entire career. His last theatrical performance was in "Waiting for Waiting for Godot" in October 2024, though he was forced to withdraw midway through the production on medical advice. His final television appearance came in the KBS series "Dog Knows Everything," which aired in September and October 2024. In a poignant moment at KBS's year-end awards ceremony in January 2025, he accepted the network's top acting prize before deciding to rest.
Throughout his illustrious 69-year career, Lee created some of the most memorable and beloved characters in Korean popular culture. His portrayal of the stern yet comedic Daebal's Father made him a household name, while his later roles as the mischievous Yadong Soon-jae in sitcoms and the energetic globe-trotting grandfather in reality shows endeared him to entirely new generations of viewers. Lee often reflected that "a lifetime of acting still isn't enough," approaching each role with the dedication and intensity as if it might be his last performance.
Born in Hoeryong, North Hamgyong Province, in what is now North Korea in 1934 (officially recorded as 1935), Lee's early life was marked by the tumultuous events of Korea's modern history. He moved to Seoul at age 4 with his grandparents and lived through the country's liberation as a schoolboy and the Korean War as a teenager, experiencing firsthand the full sweep of Korea's transformation in the 20th century.
While studying philosophy at Seoul National University, Lee discovered his passion for acting after watching Laurence Olivier's performance in "Hamlet." This cinematic experience set him on his life's path. In 1956, he joined the Theatre Libre troupe and made his professional debut in a Korean production of Eugene O'Neill's "Beyond the Horizon." After graduating in 1960, he helped establish Experimental Theater, which became Korea's first collective-artist troupe, demonstrating his commitment to advancing Korean theatrical arts.
Lee's entry into television broadcasting came in 1961 with "I, Too, Will Become Human," a drama series that marked the historic launch of KBS. His timing proved fortuitous as he became a first-generation contracted actor with the now-defunct TBC network in 1965, positioning himself at the center of Korea's rapidly expanding television industry. During his most productive periods, Lee appeared in more than 30 productions per month, showcasing his incredible stamina and versatility.
His major television works numbered approximately 140, including acclaimed series such as "Donguibogam," "See and See Again," "The Age of Three Kims," "The Men of the Bathhouse," "The Wild Days," "Land," and "Mom's Dead Upset," in addition to countless smaller roles that demonstrated his range as a performer. His breakthrough role came in MBC's "What on Earth Is Love" (1991-92), where he portrayed a family patriarch whose perfect blend of warmth and comic stubbornness captivated the entire country. The character, known as Daebal's Father, became so iconic that Lee was permanently associated with the role, and the show achieved an extraordinary 65 percent viewership rating.
The success of this drama briefly propelled Lee into the political arena. In 1992, he won a National Assembly seat as a candidate for the then-ruling Democratic Liberal Party, a predecessor to today's People Power Party. Remarkably, even while serving as a lawmaker, he continued his acting career on television, demonstrating his unwavering commitment to his craft.
Lee also played a central role in what many consider the golden age of Korean historical dramas. He anchored major hits including "Hur Jun" (1999), "The Merchant" (2001), and "Lee San, Wind of the Palace" (2007) with a gravitas and commanding presence that made him an essential dramatic cornerstone. His performances in these period pieces showcased his ability to embody the wisdom and dignity of historical figures while making them accessible to contemporary audiences.
Never content to rest on his laurels, Lee continuously reinvented himself throughout his career. In his 70s, he completely shattered his solemn, sage-like public image by taking on wildly popular comedic roles in the sitcoms "High Kick!" (2006) and "High Kick Through the Roof" (2009). His impeccable comedic timing and willingness to embrace irreverent humor won him a devoted following among younger fans and earned him the playful nickname "Yadong Soon-jae," referring to a running gag involving his character's inadvertent encounters with adult materials.
Lee's successful transition into unscripted television came through his collaboration with star producer Nah Yung-suk on the travel reality series "Grandpas Over Flowers" (2013). On the show, Lee displayed a remarkable vigor that defied his advanced age, often striding ahead of his younger companions with a brisk pace that earned him yet another affectionate moniker: "Straight-Ahead Soon-jae." The program offered viewers a rare and authentic glimpse of Lee as himself, revealing his principles, his sense of humor, and his distinctive way of navigating the world.
During the show's third season, Lee shared his philosophy on aging: "If you sit down and demand deference just because you're old, that's when you grow old and stagnant. As long as I can still do it, I will." This candid approach to life and aging resonated deeply with audiences, particularly middle-aged viewers and younger people experiencing burnout and disillusionment. His commitment to continuous learning, his uncomplaining work ethic, and his determination to greet each day with resolve made him an embodiment of the kind of elder that many felt Korean society desperately needed.
In his final decade, Lee continued to embrace new challenges and push his artistic boundaries. He returned frequently to the theater stage, delivering critically acclaimed performances in "Salut d'Amour" (2016), "The Student and Mister Henri" (2017), and Shakespeare's "King Lear" (2021, 2023). His performance in "King Lear" was particularly remarkable, as he commanded the stage for nearly 200 minutes while mastering the play's vast and demanding monologues. In 2023, he made his directorial debut with Chekhov's "The Seagull," mentoring younger actors and bringing them alongside him onto the stage.
Lee's health began to falter during his final theatrical production, "Waiting for Waiting for Godot," a Korean adaptation of Dave Hanson's theatrical version of Samuel Beckett's original work, in October 2024. Medical advisors recommended several months of rest, forcing him to withdraw from the production. That same fall, his appearance in KBS's "Dog Knows Everything" earned him the historic distinction of becoming the oldest recipient of the network's top acting award.
In his tearful acceptance speech, Lee reflected on his long career: "Opportunities come if you keep preparing. Living this long, such a day eventually arrives. I want to say to the viewers watching that I have depended on you, learned from you and received so much from you all my life." The veteran actor, who had served as a mentor to countless performers and had become a living archive of modern Korean performance history, often spoke of acting as his source of vitality and purpose.
At the 60th Baeksang Arts Awards in 2024, he eloquently summarized his approach to his craft: "Even if you're bedridden with aches and chills, when someone says 'Ready, go,' you must rise – that is an actor's life force. Acting can be done well, but it can never be perfected." This conviction fueled his decades of teaching, and until recently, he had served as a professor of acting at Gachon University, passing on his knowledge and passion to future generations of performers.
Lee Soon-jae is survived by his wife and two children. KBS has announced that it will establish a public memorial altar at its headquarters, allowing mourners and fans to pay their respects to the legendary actor who touched countless lives through his seven decades of unforgettable performances.
