Lee Soon-jae, a renowned South Korean actor, passed away at the age of 91, as confirmed by his agency. With a career that spanned over 70 years across various media, Lee was affectionately called the “national TV dad” for his significant roles portraying wise, older characters. Noteworthy among his performances were his roles as a strict father in the 1991 drama “What on Earth is Love” and a comical grandparent in the sitcom “High Kick!” which aired from 2006 to 2012.
Following the announcement of his death, tributes emerged from a range of individuals, including K-pop artists and President Lee Jae Myung, who acknowledged the warmth and kindness Lee embodied throughout his career. The president noted on Facebook that Lee provided audiences with laughter, emotion, comfort, and courage.
Until last year, Lee was active in the industry and received the grand prize at the KBS Drama Awards for his lead role in “Dog Knows Everything,” making him the oldest actor to achieve this accolade. He famously stated, “You become old when you sit down and expect to be waited on,” during his time on the travel show “Grandpas over Flowers,” which gained cultural significance.
Born in 1934 in Hoeryeong, North Korea, Lee’s family moved to Seoul when he was four. He worked in his grandparents’ shop during the liberation of Korea in 1945 and later studied philosophy at Seoul National University. Although he initially pursued a different path, he was inspired to act after watching Sir Laurence Olivier in “Hamlet.” Over his lifetime, Lee appeared in approximately 140 television shows and continued acting on stage until October 2024.
In addition to his acting career, Lee had a brief political stint as a member of parliament for the Democratic Liberal Party in 1992, although he did not seek re-election. Lee’s influence on Korean entertainment persists today, as evidenced by the resurgence of scenes from “High Kick!” as memes on social media platforms. His legacy is commemorated by those who knew him, including actor Yoo Yeon-seok, who expressed gratitude for Lee’s mentorship both in acting and in life.
Source: https://www.bbc.com/news/articles/cg4nlv0pn3zo?at_medium=RSS&at_campaign=rss