Veteran South Korean actor Lee Soon-jae, widely regarded as one of the country’s most influential performers, has died at the age of 91. His family confirmed the news, saying he passed away in the early hours of November 25, according to The Korea Times. He was surrounded by loved ones at the time of his death.

Lee, whose career stretched across more than seven decades, remained active in theatre, film, and television well into his later years. His passing marks the end of an era for Korean entertainment, where he was celebrated as both a pioneer and a mentor to generations of actors.

A pillar of Korean performing arts

Born in 1934 in Hoeryong, North Hamgyong Province, Lee moved to Seoul when he was four and later graduated from Seoul National University with a degree in philosophy. His interest in cinema grew during his student years, when foreign films from Italy, France, and the UK began circulating in Korea.

Inspired by Laurence Olivier’s ‘Hamlet’, Lee pursued acting and made his stage debut with the 1956 play ‘Beyond the Horizon’. By 1960, he had joined KBS as part of its first class of talent recruits, becoming one of the country’s earliest television actors.

He went on to become a defining figure in Korean entertainment, appearing in around 140 productions, according to Chosun Daily. The outlet also noted that he once appeared in more than 30 films in a single month.

A career spanning seven decades

Lee built a formidable résumé that crossed genres, eras, and mediums. His acclaimed works include ‘Unstoppable High Kick!’, ‘Dear My Friends’, ‘The Scholar Who Walks the Night’, ‘Late Blossom’, and ‘Good Morning President’.

His portrayal of “Daebal-i’s Father” in the hit 1991–92 drama ‘What Is Love?’ became one of his most iconic roles, drawing a 65 percent viewership rating and capturing the essence of Korean family culture at the time.

He also became known for his commanding performances in historical dramas such as ‘The Legendary Doctor’, ‘Hur Jun’ (1999), ‘The Merchant’ (2001), and ‘Lee San’ (2007). In his 70s, Lee expanded his range with comedic turns in ‘High Kick!’ (2006) and ‘High Kick Through the Roof’ (2009), earning him a new generation of fans and the affectionate nickname “Yadong Soon-jae.”

In 2024, however, his health began to decline. He cancelled planned stage performances, including ‘Waiting for Godot’, and missed notable public appearances due to medical concerns.

Beyond acting

Lee also contributed to Korea’s cultural landscape outside of acting. He served three terms as president of the Korea Broadcasting Actors Association during the 1970s and 1980s. In 1992, he entered politics and won a seat in the National Assembly as a candidate for the Democratic Liberal Party.

Despite these accomplishments, he always returned to his first love – acting – and remained active until 2024, making him one of Korea’s oldest working actors.

National mourning and Presidential tribute

Tributes have poured in from across the entertainment industry following Lee’s passing. South Korean President Lee Jae Myung issued an official statement honouring the late actor, calling him a “great star of South Korea’s cultural and artistic community.”

According to The Chosun Daily, the President said, “Your philosophy on acting, your attitude as an actor, and your character as a true elder have been an inspiration to countless juniors and left a profound impact on all of us. The works and messages you left behind will be passed down as South Korea's precious cultural heritage.”