SEOUL, November 25 (AJP) - Lee Soon-jae, one of South Korea’s most distinguished and enduring actors, died early Tuesday at the age of 91, his family confirmed.
With a career spanning nearly seven decades, Lee was widely regarded as the country’s oldest active actor until health issues forced him to step back last year.
Born in 1934 in Hoeryong in what is now North Korea, Lee moved to Seoul at age four. His early life coincided with Korea’s liberation from Japan and the outbreak of the Korean War, events he often recalled as formative to his worldview.
Lee discovered acting while studying philosophy at Seoul National University. Inspired by Laurence Olivier’s Hamlet, he debuted in 1956 with the play “Beyond the Horizon.” In 1965, he joined TBC as a contracted actor, becoming a pillar of early Korean broadcasting.
His 1991–92 drama “What Is Love?” reached a record-breaking 65 percent viewership, cementing his status as a household name. Lee’s portrayal of a stern, traditional father reflected the social values of the era and left an enduring imprint on Korean TV history.
Even in his late 80s, Lee remained committed to the stage. His performance in “King Lear” — delivering more than 200 minutes of dialogue — drew critical acclaim for its depth and stamina. He continued acting until October last year, when he suspended activities due to health concerns. His final major accolade came in 2022 when he became the oldest recipient of the KBS Drama Grand Prize.
Lee also briefly entered politics, serving as a lawmaker after being elected in 1992 with the then-ruling Democratic Liberal Party. He later dedicated himself to nurturing future actors, serving as a distinguished professor at Gachon University’s Department of Performing Arts.
Throughout his long career, Lee was celebrated not only for his performances but for his deep devotion to craft. His passing marks the end of an era for Korean performing arts.
* This article, published by Aju Business Daily, was translated by AI and edited by AJP.
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