The Passing of Late Actor Lee Soon-jae, Posthumous Awarding of the Gold Crown Order of Cultural Merit

Veteran actor Lee Soon-jae, often called the 'nation's actor', passed away on the 25th at the age of 91. The government honored his achievements by posthumously awarding him the Gold Crown Order of Cultural Merit, expressing the nation's deep condolences.

Advertisement

Lee Soon-jae's funeral hall was set up at 3 PM on the 25th at the Asan Medical Center in Songpa-gu, Seoul. As soon as the memorial space opened, a steady stream of figures from the entertainment and cultural sectors arrived, including Seoul Mayor Oh Se-hoon.

At around 7 PM, Minister of Culture, Sports and Tourism Choi Hwi-young personally visited the funeral hall carrying the Gold Crown Order of Cultural Merit. The ministry upgraded Lee Soon-jae's previously awarded Silver Crown Order to the highest cultural honor.

After presenting the decoration to the bereaved family, Minister Choi said, "For 70 years, the late teacher shared the joys and sorrows of life with the people through theater, film, and television. His legacy will be remembered for generations".

Celebrities who paid their respects also expressed their final farewells.

Singer-actor Lee Seung-gi said, "He was someone with whom I shared a very special relationship. He officiated my wedding, and in our work, he would always say, 'If Seung-gi's doing it, I have to help'. His dedication to acting until the very end was a great inspiration to all younger actors". He added, "I hope he can now rest comfortably and happily".

Comedian Choi Byung-seo said, "A great teacher of the entertainment world, who always shared wise words with me over the past 40 years, has left us. He gave deeper lessons than any book. I hope he rests peacefully in a good place".

Actor Jang Yong reflected, "We worked together in dramas for 55 years. At times, he was like a father, at times like an older brother. He always said, 'The happiest way to go is collapsing on stage'. He was a role model and mentor to all junior actors".

Broadcaster Park Kyung-rim said, "He was a towering figure who deeply influenced all of culture and the arts. He always led by example and taught younger generations through action. I hope he feels no pain and finds happiness where he is now".

Lee Jae-oh, chair of the Korea Democracy Foundation, added, "Even during his years in politics, he remained someone who could gently bridge both sides of the aisle. I hope he continues those good connections in the afterlife".

The late Lee Soon-jae began on the theater stage and went on to become a living witness of Korean popular culture across film and television. With his signature charisma and profound acting, he captured the hearts of audiences across generations. Holding firmly to the belief that "an actor must never forget their lines", he trained his memory diligently and continued striving to stand on stage and in front of the camera until the very end.

In addition to the funeral hall, the Federation of Korean Broadcast Performers Organizations set up separate memorial spaces at KBS's main and annex buildings to allow the public to pay their respects.

Mourners who visited the funeral hall unanimously remembered him as "a great teacher of the entertainment world and a towering figure in culture and the arts", honoring the life and legacy he left behind.