Actor Lee Soon-jae, who was known as the ‘oldest active actor’, has passed away at the age of 91. According to his family, Lee Soon-jae passed away in the early hours of the 25th. Despite his age, Lee was actively involved in acting across various genres including TV, film, and theater, maintaining a strict routine for health management. Up until recently, he was actively participating in a play titled “Waiting for Godot” and KBS 2TV’s drama “Dog Sound”.
Born in 1934 in Hoeryong, North Hamgyong Province, Lee Soon-jae was inspired to pursue acting after watching British actor Laurence Olivier in the movie “Hamlet” while studying philosophy at Seoul National University. He made his debut in 1956 with the play “Beyond the Horizon” and became a contract actor with TBC in 1965, which led to an active career in TV dramas, films, and theater.
His major works include over 140 dramas such as “Dong Yi”, “Watch Again”, “Men of the Bath House”, “The Age of Wild Men”, “Land”, and “Mom’s Dead Upset”. In his 70s, he expanded his acting repertoire and gained popularity with his comedic roles in sitcoms like “Unstoppable High Kick” (2006) and “High Kick Through the Roof” (2009), shedding his previous solemn image.
Before pausing his activities last October due to health issues, he was actively involved in the play “Waiting for Godot” and KBS 2TV’s drama “Dog Sound”. Last year, he became the oldest recipient of the grand prize at the KBS Drama Awards.
His last acceptance speech left a profound impact. Lee stated, “Living long, I get to see days like this. Katharine Hepburn won the Academy Award three times even after turning 60, and it wasn’t a lifetime achievement award, it was an acting award. If you perform well, age doesn’t matter. Acting should be judged by the performance itself, not by popularity or other factors,” which was met with applause.
He also expressed his gratitude to his students. As a distinguished professor at Gachon University for 13 years, he said, “Due to filming for the drama, there was no time to teach students. I apologized, saying ‘I am not qualified to be a professor.’ Despite this, the students said, ‘Don’t worry, we’ll accomplish it as you taught us.’ It brought me to tears, and I know today’s results are due to their support.”
Finally, Lee Soon-jae concluded his speech with gratitude, “Viewers, I owe you and have received so much help throughout my life. Thank you.” The eternal actor’s parting words at the end of his 91-year life were “Thank you.”