South Korean actor Lee Soon-jae DIES at 91, president Lee Jae-myung shares his…

One of South Korea’s most loved and respected actors, Lee Soon-jae, has passed away at the age of 91. The actor breathed his last on Tuesday, November 25, 2025. His agency announced the terrible news. The news has left all of his fans and the entire Korean entertainment industry in a state of deep shock and grief. Multiple celebrities, from K-pop idols to President Lee Jae Myung, have taken to the internet to express their sorrow and grief regarding the unfortunate news. The president of South Korea took to Facebook to say, “Devoting his entire life to acting, he elevated the dignity of Korea’s culture and arts, gifting us laughter, emotion, comfort, and courage through his work across theatre, film, and broadcasting.

President Lee Jae Myung’s post

He continued, “Just as he once said, “Acting is a companion of life that captures the stories of living human beings,” acting for him was a channel through which he shared the stories of our lives with the world and conveyed the essence of human existence. His philosophy of acting, his attitude as an actor, and his character as a true elder became an example to countless juniors and left a profound resonance for all of us. The works and messages he has left behind will be passed down as precious cultural heritage of Korea. We will long remember him as an artist beloved across generations and as a national actor. His expressions and voice still feel vivid.”

Lee Soon-jae’s work

Lee Soon-jae is known as, and lovingly called, the “national TV dad” for all the roles he did playing an old wise man. His career spanned more than 70 years, in which he acted in films, on television, and on stage. His famous roles, such as his portrayal of a strict father in the famous soap What on Earth is Love, as well as his role as an adorable grandfather in High Kick!, have made the fans fall in love with his work.
Lee loved what he did and was an active member of the entertainment industry until last year. He even won an award in the KBS Drama Awards for his role as the lead in the comedy sitcom, Dog Knows Everything. He became the oldest actor to get that award.
On a travel show, Grandpas over Flowers, he told the fellow senior actors, “You become old when you sit down and expect to be waited on.”

More about Lee Soon-jae

Lee Soon-jae was born in 1934 in Hoeryeong, which is now in present-day North Korea. His family moved to Seoul when he was 4 years old. Lee was a student of philosophy at the Seoul National University but tried his hand at theater and then ventured into TV and films. He had appeared in around 140 TV shows and continued to work on the stage till October 2024.