The late Lee Soon-jae, widely regarded as Korea’s “one and only national actor,” was laid to rest on November 27, surrounded by the tears of junior actors, colleagues, and students who came to bid him a final farewell.
The funeral and procession were held at Seoul Asan Medical Center at 5:30 a.m. The ceremony was hosted by actor Jeong Bo-seok, with fellow actors Kim Young-chul and Ha Ji-won delivering emotional eulogies.
Many prominent figures attended to honor the late actor, including Kim Na-woon, Kim Young-chul, Kim Byung-ok, Park Sang-won, Lee Moo-saeng, Lee Won-jong, Yoo Dong-geun, Yoo In-chon, Yoo Tae-woong, Won Ki-jun, Choi Soo-jong, Jung Tae-woo, Jung Il-woo, Jung Joon-ho, Jung Dong-hwan, Jung Joon-ha, and broadcaster Jang Sung-kyu.
Students from Gachon University’s Acting and Arts Department, where Lee Soon-jae served as a distinguished professor, carried out the procession. As the casket entered the hall, the sound of sobbing from his juniors and students filled the room, reflecting the deep respect and affection he inspired throughout the industry.
A Geumgwan Order of Cultural Merit, awarded posthumously by the Korean government, was placed before his portrait—an emblem of the monumental legacy he leaves behind in Korean performing arts.
Jeong Bo-seok opened the ceremony with trembling voice, calling Lee Soon-jae “a pioneer of Korean broadcasting and acting history.” He added, “Each step he took was a path for us to follow. He was the umbrella that allowed younger actors to perform without fear.”
Ha Ji-won, in tears, expressed disbelief as she said goodbye: “I still feel like your firm voice will call out to us again. I will strive to live and act with the sincerity, humility, and warmth you taught us.”
Veteran actor Kim Young-chul, who shared decades of history with Lee Soon-jae, mourned deeply: “If there were a day I could erase, I would cut out that dawn. I wish I could erase this morning as well.” He added that Lee Soon-jae’s unwavering dignity and respect toward others provided comfort and guidance to countless people.
Following the ceremony, actors Kim Na-woon, Ha Ji-won, and Jung Joon-ha could not hold back their tears. As the hearse departed for the final resting place at Eden Paradise in Incheon, younger actors bowed deeply until the car was out of sight, paying their last respects to the man who shaped generations of performers.
Lee Soon-jae passed away on November 25 at the age of 91. Born in 1934 in Hoeryong, North Hamgyong Province, he debuted in 1956 with the play Beyond the Horizon, leaving an unparalleled legacy in theater, television, film, and politics.
He starred in numerous acclaimed dramas—including Hur Jun, Sangdo, The King’s Daughter, Soo Baek-hyang, and the beloved High Kick sitcom series—and remained a beloved figure through the hit reality show Grandpas Over Flowers. He also briefly served in politics, being elected to the National Assembly in 1992.
Lee Soon-jae’s profound influence on Korean arts ensures that his legacy will continue to shine for generations.
He will be remembered. He will not be forgotten.
Sources: Daum