Korean veteran actor Lee Soon Jae dies at 91, tributes pour in from film, TV and political leaders

Korean veteran actor Lee Soon Jae dies at 91, tributes pour in from film, TV and political leaders

Korean cinema and television lost one of its defining pillars this week. Lee Soon Jae, an actor whose name became synonymous with Korean performing arts, passed away on Tuesday, 25 November, at the age of 91. His agency, SG Way Entertainment, confirmed the news, marking the end of a remarkable six-decade journey that shaped generations of artists and viewers.

Across nearly 140 major television dramas, along with a long list of film and stage credits, Lee built a body of work that mirrored the evolution of Korean entertainment itself. He moved from the early days of post-war theatre to the explosive era of modern K-dramas, always with the same precision, emotional depth and quiet authority that made him impossible to forget.

His funeral will take place at Asan Medical Center in Seoul’s Songpa District. The procession is set for 6:20 a.m. on Thursday, following which he will be laid to rest at Eden Paradise Cemetery in Icheon, Gyeonggi Province.

The response to his passing has been immediate and heartfelt. Younger actors and K-pop stars paid tribute online, sharing stories of the generosity he showed even during brief interactions. Many spoke of him as a mentor they didn’t formally have but always learned from. South Korean President Lee Jae Myung also wrote a public message, saying, “From theatre to film and television, he brought us laughter, emotion, comfort and courage.” It captured the simplicity with which Lee connected across generations, never relying on spectacle, always on sincerity.

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Lee’s story began far from the spotlight. Born in 1934 in Hoeryong, now part of North Korea, he moved with his family to Seoul before the Korean War. While studying at Seoul National University, he was drawn to the stage almost by accident. His debut came in 1956 with the play Beyond the Horizon, and from there he built a foundation that modern Korean entertainment still stands on.

What this really means is that Lee Soon Jae wasn’t just a veteran actor. He was a reference point. A reminder that endurance, craft and discipline can carry an artist through eras, trends and entire shifts in culture. His absence leaves a wide, quiet space in Korean storytelling, one that will be felt for years.