Veteran Korean actor Lee Soon-jae has passed away at the age of 91, following over a year of public concern regarding his health. According to his family and agency on November 25, Lee passed away in the early hours of the morning.
His funeral altar has been set up at Room 30 of the funeral hall in Seoul Asan Medical Center, Pungnap-dong, Songpa-gu. The funeral procession is scheduled for 6:20 AM on November 27, with the burial site at Eden Paradise in Icheon.
On November 25, KBS announced that it has prepared a special public memorial altar for the late Lee Soon-jae at both its main and annex buildings in Yeouido, Seoul. From the evening of the same day, the public will be able to visit the site and pay their respects.
In honor of the beloved actor, KBS has also arranged special tribute broadcasts. At 10:45 PM on November 25, a memorial program titled National Actor Lee Soon-jae Special: ‘Dog Knows Everything’ (Episodes 1–4) will air. Another special titled ‘Ten Minutes, Your Trivial Things’ is scheduled to broadcast at 11:10 PM on November 26.
Born in 1934 in Hoeryong, Lee moved to Seoul with his grandparents at the age of four. His official birth year is listed as 1935 in family records. He graduated with a degree in philosophy from Seoul National University and made his acting debut in 1956 with the play “Beyond the Horizon.”
Lee went on to become a first-generation actor for TBC in 1965 and starred in over 100 dramas during his lifetime. He was active across television, film, and theater, earning admiration as Korea’s oldest active actor.
Despite his advanced age, Lee remained passionate about acting. In 2024, he starred in the stage production “Waiting for Godot,” and led the KBS 2TV drama “Dog Knows Everything.” However, in October of the same year, he stepped down from the play, sparking persistent rumors about his health.
During the 16th Korean Popular Culture and Arts Awards held last October, actor Jung Dong-hwan, while accepting an award, expressed concern over Lee’s condition, saying, “It seems like Lee Soon-jae is not in good health. I sincerely hope for his recovery.” This fueled renewed speculation about his well-being.
At the time, Lee’s agency addressed the concerns, stating to Star News, “His health hasn’t significantly changed. He is not suffering from any major issues. He’s currently undergoing rehabilitation therapy for weakened leg strength and plans to focus on rest and recovery for the time being.”
Sadly, despite his efforts, the beloved actor has now passed on, leaving behind a monumental legacy in Korean entertainment history.
Sources: Daum
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