Legendary Korean actor Lee Soon Jae, one of South Korea’s most respected and veteran personality, died on Tuesday, 25 November, at age 91, his agency SG Way Entertainment confirmed. In the remarkable career spanning over 60 years, Lee appeared in around 140 major TV dramas, along with numerous films and theatre productions that earned admiration across generations.
State Leadership Mourns on Death of the Icon Lee Soon Jae
His funeral will be held at the Asan Medical Center in Songpa District, Seoul, according to his agency SG Way Entertainment. The procession is scheduled for 6:20 a.m. Thursday, to be followed by a burial at Eden Paradise Cemetery in Icheon, Gyeonggi Province.
After his death was announced, the tributes flowed in from the fans, actors, and younger K-pop stars who remembered his warmth and generosity. South Korean President Lee Jae Myung expressed his condolences via a Facebook post: “From theatre to film and television, he brought us laughter, emotion, comfort and courage.”
Legendary Acting Career of Lee Soon Jae
Born in 1934 in Hoeryong today part of North Korea Lee moved with his family to Seoul before the start of the Korean War. While studying at Seoul National University, he made his stage debut with the play Beyond the Horizon in 1956.
Lee Soon Jae went on to give some of the most memorable performances in Korean television. His role in the family drama What Is Love? (1991–1992) became a cultural milestone, recording an incredible 65% viewership rating. The series solidified his reputation as a stern but beloved father figure.
He earned broad acclaim later for historical dramas, including his role as the principled doctor Yoo Ui-tae in the drama Hur Jun back in 1999. He continued showing a strong presence in hits like Sangdo in 2001 and Lee San in 2007.
Lee Soon Jae Career That Never Slowed Down
Through his nineties, Lee remained dedicated to acting and appeared in nearly 140 television productions. He continued working on stage into October 2024 before pulling out mid-performance from a London run of Waiting for Godot due to ill health. His last public appearance came the following December at an awards ceremony. Remarkably, he continued receiving major awards well into his later years. In 2023, he received the Grand Prize at the KBS Drama Awards for his lead role in the comedy series Dog Knows Everything, becoming the oldest South Korean actor ever to win the honour.
