South Korea has lost one of its most iconic cultural figures. Actor Lee Soon Jae, regarded as a living pillar of Korean broadcasting and theater history, passed away early on November 25 at the age of 91. His agency confirmed the news and expressed deep sorrow at his passing.
Born in 1934 in Hoeryong, North Hamgyong Province, Lee studied philosophy at Seoul National University. His acting journey began in 1956 with the play Beyond the Horizon. This was the start of a remarkable career that would span nearly seven decades.
In 1965, he joined TBC as a first-generation exclusive actor, which placed him at the center of Korea’s developing broadcast landscape. Over the next 60 years, he appeared in over 100 dramas and countless theater productions.
Lee Soon Jae’s career was filled with defining and memorable roles: He became a household name through the hit series “What Is Love?”, where he played Daebal’s father. He appeared in several historical dramas through “Hur Jun,” “Sangdo,” and “Lee Sand, Wind of the Palace.”
He charmed younger audiences with comedic roles in “High Kick!” and “High Kick!” season 2.
Well into his later years, he continued breaking boundaries on stage. His commanding performances in “Salut d’Amour,” “Grandpa Henri and I,” and “King Lear” were widely praised. King Lear—famous for its 200-minute dialogue—is considered his signature stage piece.
In 2023, he made his directorial debut with Anton Chekhov’s play The Seagull. Even in his 90s, Lee Soon Jae continued to make history. In January 2024, he became the oldest recipient of the Daesang (Grand Prize) at the KBS Drama Awards for his performance in Dog Knows Everything. In his acceptance speech, he reflected:
There are days like this in my long life….acting should be evaluated based on acting itself.
His final acting appearance was in “Waiting for Godot” in October 2024, but he had to withdraw due to health concerns.
Earlier this year, he was also chosen as the winner of the 2025 Korea PD Awards (Actor category), but was unable to attend due to declining health.
Beyond acting, Lee Soon Jae contributed to society in numerous ways. In 1992, he was elected to the 14th National Assembly and served one term before returning to acting. He later shared that he found politics “too barren.”
He was honored with the Eungwan Order of Cultural Merit (2nd-class) in 2018 for his achievements in Korean arts.
He also taught and nurtured young talent as a distinguished professor in Gachon University’s Department of Acting. Lee also served as director of SG Academy and continued these roles until very late in his life.
He leaves behind a legacy that is impossible to measure—one that influenced modern Korean culture and countless performers.
