Lee Soon-jae, one of South Korea’s most beloved actors and affectionately known as the “national TV dad,” has passed away at the age of 91, his agency confirmed on Tuesday.
With a career spanning more than seven decades, Lee touched the hearts of audiences across film, television, and stage. He was best known for his memorable roles as a wise and caring older man, notably as a strict father in the 1991 soap What on Earth is Love and as a lovable grandfather in the popular sitcom High Kick! which aired from 2006 to 2012.
News of Lee’s passing has sparked an outpouring of tributes from fans, fellow actors, and K-pop stars, as well as from President Lee Jae Myung, all praising his warmth, kindness, and enduring impact on Korean culture.
Lee remained active in his craft until recently, earning the grand prize at the 2023 KBS Drama Awards for his lead role in the comedy series Dog Knows Everything. This made him the oldest actor in South Korea to win the prestigious honor.
Born in 1934 in Hoeryeong, now part of North Korea, Lee’s family relocated to Seoul when he was four. He witnessed Korea’s liberation from Japanese rule in 1945 while working in his grandparents’ shop in Seoul’s Namdaemun market. After studying philosophy at Seoul National University, Lee was inspired to pursue acting after watching Sir Laurence Olivier’s performance in Hamlet.
Over his lifetime, Lee appeared in about 140 television shows and continued performing on stage until October 2024, when illness forced him to withdraw from the play Waiting for Godot. He made a final public appearance at the KBS Drama Awards in December.
In addition to his entertainment career, Lee briefly served as a member of South Korea’s National Assembly from 1992 to 1996, representing the conservative Democratic Liberal Party.
Lee Soon-jae’s legacy as a treasured figure in South Korean entertainment and a symbol of warmth and wisdom will continue to resonate with audiences for generations to come.
