Renowned South Korean Actor Lee Soon-jae Passes Away at 91

Lee Soon-jae, one of South Korea’s most cherished actors, passed away at the age of 91. Known affectionately as the ‘national TV dad,’ Lee had a career spanning over seven decades in theater, television, and film. He gained widespread recognition for his roles as a strict father in the 1991 soap ‘What on Earth is Love’ and as a lovable grandfather in the hit sitcom ‘High Kick!’ which aired from 2006 to 2012. Lee remained active in acting until 2024, winning the grand prize at the KBS Drama Awards for his lead role in the comedy series ‘Dog Knows Everything,’ becoming the oldest actor in South Korea to receive this honor. Born in 1934 in what is now North Korea, Lee moved south to Seoul at age four. He initially studied philosophy at Seoul National University but was inspired to pursue acting after watching Sir Laurence Olivier in ‘Hamlet.’ Throughout his career, Lee appeared in around 140 television shows and continued performing on stage until health issues forced him to withdraw from ‘Waiting for Godot’ in 2024. In addition to acting, he briefly served as a member of parliament for the Democratic Liberal Party from 1992 to 1996. Lee’s legacy extends beyond entertainment; he was admired for his warmth, mentorship, and influence on younger actors, as well as for inspiring internet culture, with clips from ‘High Kick!’ gaining popularity as memes. Tributes have poured in from celebrities, fans, and even the President of South Korea, honoring his remarkable contribution to the arts and society.