Veteran South Korean actor Lee Soon Jae dies at 91

Rest in Peace, Lee Soon Jae.

Veteran South Korean actor Lee Soo Jae passes away at 91

Lee Soon Jae was one of South Korea’s most respected actors. He starred in over 100 dramas, films, and stage productions throughout his six-decade career.
PHOTO/S: Screengrab on X

Veteran South Korean actor Lee Soon Jae passed away peacefully in the early morning of Tuesday, November 25, 2025.

He was 91.

His death was confirmed by his family and talent agency, SG Way Entertainment, according to a statement reported by Soompi.com.

No cause of death has been publicly disclosed at this time.

Lee Soon Jae’s notable projects

Lee Soon Jae made his acting debut in theater in 1956.

In 1960, he became part of KBS’s first class of recruited actors, launching a television career that lasted until the year before his death, making him one of Korea’s longest-serving and oldest working actors.

Over his career, he appeared in more than 100 film and television projects.

Some of his well-known works include: I’ll Become a Man (1969), Dongui Bogam and What on Earth Is Love (1991), Men of the Bathhouse (1995), Three Kim Generation and See You Again (1998), Mom’s Dead Upset (2008), High Kick! (2006), Do Do Sol Sol La La Sol (2020), and Again My Life (2022).

In 2024, he starred in the mystery drama series Dog Knows Everything, which earned him the KBS Drama Awards grand prize (Daesang) last January—becoming the oldest actor ever to receive that honor.

Veteran South Korean actor Lee Soo Jae passes away at 91

Lee Soon Jae becomes oldest actor to win Korean drama awards. 
Photo/s: KBS

Though best known for his television work, Lee Soon Jae was also very active in theater as he performed in plays such as Waiting for Waiting for Godot.

In October 2024, he halted all of his professional activities due to health issues.

Lee Soon Jae’s political career

Aside from acting, Lee Soon Jae had a stint in politics.

He served three terms as president of the Korea Broadcasting Actors Association during the 1970s, 1980s, and 1990s.

In 1992, he was elected to the National Assembly as a member of the then-ruling Democratic Liberal Party.

During his time in office, he worked as a deputy spokesperson for the party and also as secretary of the Korea-Japan Parliamentarians’ Union.