Lee Soon-jae, one of South Korea’s most revered actors whose career stretched across nearly seven decades, died early Monday at 91, his representatives announced. Funeral arrangements are underway.
Born in 1934 in Hoeryong—now in North Korea—Lee moved to Seoul as a child and later studied philosophy at Seoul National University. He made his stage debut in 1956 with Beyond the Horizon and joined national broadcaster KBS in 1960 as part of its first cohort of contract actors, paving the way for a prolific career in television, film and theater.
Lee became a household name through hit dramas including What Is Love (1991–92), which drew peak ratings of 65 percent, as well as historical series such as Hur Jun and Sangdo. He later found renewed popularity with younger audiences in sitcoms like Unstoppable High Kick and High Kick Through the Roof, earning a reputation for his warm, humorous on-screen persona.
Outside entertainment, Lee briefly entered politics and served in South Korea’s National Assembly after winning a seat in 1992.
Even in his late 80s and 90s, Lee continued working. He appeared in the play Waiting for Waiting for Godot, the film The Big Family, and the KBS2 drama Nonsense as recently as last year. In 2024, he received the Grand Prize at the KBS Drama Awards—his first time winning the honor solo—calling it “a beautiful and precious award.”
Lee was widely respected for his outspoken views on the craft of acting. At the 60th Baeksang Arts Awards, he remarked that mastery requires lifelong discipline. “Even after a lifetime of acting, I still find myself lacking and always studying,” he said.
He withdrew from Waiting for Waiting for Godot in October due to health issues and had planned to return to work after rehabilitation, according to his agency, but was unable to resume activities.
News of his death drew an outpouring of tributes on social media, with fans writing, “I grew up watching him” and “Thank you for the joy you gave us.” Singer and radio host Tae expressed condolences live on air, saying he would “never forget [Lee’s] passion and dedication.”
Lee’s passing marks the loss of an era-defining figure in Korean entertainment, leaving behind a body of work that shaped the country’s modern television, theater and film landscape.
