Lee Soon-jae, one of South Korea's most cherished actors, bid adieu to the world on Tuesday at the age of 91, as announced by his agency. Spanning over 70 years in the film, television, and stage industries, Lee was affectionately known as the "national TV dad" for his many roles as a wise, seasoned man.
His most notable performances included his portrayal of a strict father in the 1991 soap opera "What on Earth is Love," and his endearing yet silly grandpa in the popular sitcom "High Kick!" which aired from 2006 to 2012. News of his passing has sparked an outpouring of tributes from young celebrities, including K-pop singers, to President Lee Jae Myung, who wrote on Facebook, "From theatre to film and television, he brought us laughter, emotion, comfort, and courage."
Lee's acting career continued until last year when he won the grand prize at the KBS Drama Awards for his lead role in the comedy series "Dog Knows Everything." He was the oldest South Korean actor to ever receive this honor. In an interview on the travel show "Grandpas over Flowers," he famously said, "You become old when you sit down and expect to be waited on." The 2013 show, which revolved around senior stars making strenuous journeys abroad, became a cultural phenomenon.
Born in 1934 in Hoeryeong, a county now in North Korea, Lee moved to Seoul with his family when he was just four years old. He worked in his grandparents' shop in the capital's Namdaemun market when Korea was liberated from Japanese rule in 1945. Lee studied philosophy at Seoul National University but ventured into theatre and eventually TV and films. He said he was inspired to act after watching Sir Laurence Olivier play the title role in Hamlet.
Throughout his career, Lee appeared in over 140 TV shows and continued to act on stage until October 2024 when he withdrew halfway through the run of the play "Waiting for Godot" due to illness. He reappeared in public at the awards in December. Lee also had a brief foray into politics when he was elected as a member of parliament for the conservative Democratic Liberal Party in 1992 but did not run again at the end of his four-year term.
Lee's prolific career has kept him a household name for decades, familiar to both younger audiences and during a time when Korean entertainment is one of the country's biggest exports. His fame even spilled onto the internet where scenes from "High Kick!" have resurfaced as memes on TikTok in recent years. Actor Yoo Yeon-seok, who studied under Lee, said he "exemplified acting" and Lee Soon-jae's "High Kick!" co-star Jeong Bo-seok described Lee not just as a mentor in the industry but a "true mentor in my life." He wrote on Instagram, "Teacher, thank you so much for everything. I learned and felt so much from you - not only about acting but also about life and the attitude of an actor."
