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South Korea mourns Lee Soon-jae, 'national TV dad' and acting legend, at 91
Lee Soon-jae, one of South Korea's most revered actors, died on Tuesday at age 91, his agency confirmed. With a career spanning over seven decades across film, television, and theater, Lee earned enduring affection as the country's quintessential on-screen patriarch, embodying wisdom and warmth in roles that resonated across generations.
A career defined by versatility and endurance
Lee's breakthrough came in 1991 with the soap opera What on Earth is Love, where he portrayed a stern but loving father-a role that cemented his reputation. Later, he charmed audiences as the eccentric yet endearing grandfather in the long-running sitcom High Kick! (2006-2012), which became a cultural touchstone. Even in his final years, he remained active, winning the grand prize at the 2023 KBS Drama Awards for his lead in the comedy Dog Knows Everything, making him the oldest recipient in the ceremony's history.
Beyond scripted work, Lee's 2013 appearance on the travel show Grandpas over Flowers-where elderly stars embarked on physically demanding trips abroad-showcased his vitality and humor, further endearing him to fans. "You become old when you sit down and expect to be waited on," he quipped during the program, a remark that reflected his lifelong defiance of age-related stereotypes.
From philosophy student to national icon
Born in 1934 in Hoeryeong (now part of North Korea), Lee moved to Seoul with his family at age four. He witnessed Korea's liberation from Japanese rule in 1945 while working in his grandparents' shop at Namdaemun Market. After studying philosophy at Seoul National University, he turned to acting, inspired by Sir Laurence Olivier's portrayal of Hamlet. His stage debut marked the beginning of a prolific journey that included over 140 television appearances.
Even as health struggles emerged-he withdrew mid-run from the play Waiting for Godot in October 2024 due to illness-Lee returned to the spotlight just two months later for the KBS awards. His resilience mirrored his professional ethos: in a 2023 interview, he dismissed retirement, insisting, "Acting is my life."
A brief political interlude and lasting cultural legacy
Lee's influence extended beyond entertainment. In 1992, he won a parliamentary seat under the conservative Democratic Liberal Party, though he chose not to seek re-election after his four-year term. Yet his true legacy remained in the arts, where he bridged generations-from veteran actors to K-pop stars-who now mourn his passing.
Tributes poured in from across South Korea's cultural spectrum. President Lee Jae Myung praised his "laughter, emotion, comfort, and courage" in a Facebook post, while actor Yoo Yeon-seok, a former student, called him the "embodiment of acting." High Kick! co-star Jeong Bo-seok shared on Instagram: "Teacher, thank you for everything. You taught me not just acting, but how to live as an artist."
"From theatre to film and television, he brought us laughter, emotion, comfort and courage."
President Lee Jae Myung, via Facebook
A global footprint through memes and modern fandom
Lee's appeal transcended borders, particularly as Korean pop culture gained global traction. Clips of his High Kick! performances resurfaced as viral memes on platforms like TikTok in recent years, introducing him to younger, international audiences. His death leaves a void in an industry where he was both a pioneer and a unifying figure-beloved by fans who grew up with his work and newcomers discovering it anew.
Final curtain
Funeral arrangements have not yet been announced. Lee is survived by his family; further details about memorial services are expected in the coming days.
