Lee Soon‑jae, Korean Acting Legend, Passes Away
- Taein Lee
- Dec 1, 2025
- 2 min read
Dec 1, 2025
Taein Lee
Lee Soon‑jae, a towering figure in Korean drama and theatre, died in the early hours of November 25. He was 91. According to his family, he remained active in both stage plays and television dramas until very recently, appearing in productions such as Waiting for Godot and the KBS 2TV drama dogs know everything before his health forced a pause.
Born in 1934 in Hoeryong, North Hamgyong Province, Lee moved to Seoul at the age of four to live with his grandparents. He experienced Korea’s liberation from Japanese rule as a child and then the Korean War in his first year of high school. While studying philosophy at Seoul National University, Lee stumbled upon actor Laurence Olivier’s Hamlet, which inspired him to pursue a career on stage.
Lee made his professional debut in 1956 with the play Beyond the Horizon. In 1965, he became one of the first contracted actors at TBC, positioning himself at the heart of Korea’s broadcasting industry. Over the ensuing decades he built a body of work encompassing well over 140 major television dramas, numerous films, and countless theatre productions.
His notable works include the family drama What Is Love? (1991‑92), in which he portrayed the patriarch whose stern but relatable presence struck a chord with audiences and helped the series achieve viewership ratings of up to 65 %. He also appeared in landmark historical dramas such as Hur Jun (1999), Sangdo (2001) and Yi San (2007), through which his measured, authoritative performances helped elevate the genre.
In a striking shift from his dignified image, Lee embraced comedy in the mid‑2000s with the hit sitcom Unstoppable High Kick! (2006‑07) and its follow‑on series High Kick Through the Roof (2009‑10). The role introduced him to a younger generation and showed his versatility as an actor.
Even in his later years Lee returned to his first love—live theatre. His performances in The Last Romance, Henri & Grandpa and particularly King Lear drew praise for their depth and stamina. In 2023 he made his directorial debut with a large‑scale production of Chekhov’s The Seagull.
Outside acting, Lee entered politics in the early 1990s, being elected to the National Assembly in 1992 for the 14th National Assembly. He also served as a distinguished professor in acting at Gachon University, nurturing new talent.
Lee Soon‑jae’s passing marks the end of an era. His contributions across decades and genres made him a standard‑bearer of Korean performance arts. He leaves behind a legacy that continues to influence actors, scholars and audiences alike.
