On November 25, Park Sul Nyeo visited the memorial altar set up at Room 30 on the 3rd floor of Seoul Asan Medical Center in Songpa-gu.
Speaking to the press, Park shared, “He reportedly passed away at 2 a.m. today. I heard from his wife that his health had been deteriorating since last year. He had difficulties eating, and his condition worsened significantly earlier this year.”
Holding back tears, she continued, “There were moments when I was deeply touched by the way he lived and acted. I was a fan myself. Though it’s heartbreaking, he lived a full life beyond 90. This is a noble death everyone must part eventually. He left after fulfilling his destiny.”
Although not religious, Park shared her faith in his peaceful rest, stating, “I believe he surely went to heaven.”
On this day, Park not only dressed Lee’s wife in mourning attire but also revealed she would personally deliver and dress Lee Soon Jae in the burial hanbok she made. “Lee Soon Jae brought joy, sorrow, and inspiration to the Korean people he’s someone even kindergarteners recognize. Tomorrow morning, I will dress him in the hanbok I crafted myself,” she said, revealing a special bond with the late actor.
Lee Soon Jae passed away early this morning at the age of 91. Born in Hoeryong in 1934, he graduated from Seoul National University with a degree in philosophy. He debuted in 1956 with the play Beyond the Horizon, and over his nearly 70-year career, he appeared in over 140 productions including dramas such as Hur Jun, Guardian Angel, High Kick Through the Roof, and The King 2 Hearts.
As Korea’s oldest active actor, Lee captivated audiences across generations. He stepped down from the stage in October last year due to health issues and made headlines in January when he became the oldest winner of the Grand Prize at the 2024 KBS Drama Awards for his role in Dog Knows Everything.
Apart from acting, Lee served as a lawmaker in the 14th National Assembly under the Democratic Liberal Party, briefly stepping into politics.
His funeral will take place at 6:20 a.m. on November 27, and he will be laid to rest at Eden Paradise in Icheon, Gyeonggi Province.
Sources: Daum
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