South Korea's veteran actor Lee Soon-jae passed away today at the age of 91. Public information shows that Lee Soon-jae made his debut with the drama "Over the Horizon" in 1956 when he was studying at the Department of Philosophy at Seoul National University.In his nearly 70-year acting career, he has appeared in a total of 140 film and television dramas such as "Unstoppable High Kick" and "Funny Family". He is affectionately called South Korea's "National Grandpa".
In 1992, Lee Soon Jae starred in the life ethics drama "What Is Love", which was introduced by CCTV in 1997. As the first Korean drama introduced by CCTV, the drama's ratings achieved miracles in China.
The role of "Lee Soonjae" is what Chinese audiences remember the most.
On November 6, 2006, the family drama "Funny Family" was officially broadcast. He gained countless fans with his role as Lee Soon Jae, and his love-hate relationship with Ms. Luo Wenji became the audience's after-dinner laugh point.
In 2011, Lee Soon-jae won the Chinese Audience's Favorite Actor Award at the 20th China Golden Rooster and Hundred Flowers Film Festival for his movie "I Love You".
In 2024, when he was nearly ninety years old, he starred in the drama "Waiting for Godot" adapted from "Waiting for Godot". This is one of the important works in his later years.
In an interview in his later years, he once said frankly:"The end point for an actor is for the audience to remember you."
Some media also reported that South Korean President Lee Jae-myung expressed deep condolences for the death of the late "national actor" Lee Soon-jae through his official SNS account today.It was said that "a superstar in the cultural and artistic circles of the Republic of Korea has fallen."
Li Zaiming recalled: "The teacher devoted his life to performing arts and improved the character of culture and art. He crossed the boundaries of drama, film and television and brought us laughter, touch, comfort and courage."