Lee Soon-jae, Korea's beloved 'National TV Dad,' dies at 91

Lee Soon-jae, a towering figure in Korean acting, has died at 91, ending a career that spanned stage, film, and television. Known across generations as the 'national TV dad', he left a lasting imprint on Korea's storytelling landscape.

Career highlights and legacy

Born in 1934 in Hoeryeong, now in North Korea, and moving to Seoul at age four, Lee's path led from philosophy at Seoul National University to theatre before embracing film and TV. His breakthrough roles included a stern father in What on Earth is Love (1991) and a warm, comic grandpa in High Kick! (2006-2012).

Beyond acting, he became a familiar figure on Grandpas Over Flowers, the 2013 travel series that followed senior stars on challenging journeys abroad and sparked a cultural moment.

In the final years of his stage work, Lee won the Grand Prize at the KBS Drama Awards for Dog Knows Everything, becoming the oldest recipient of the honour.

He also dabbled in politics, serving as a member of parliament from 1992 to 1996 with the Democratic Liberal Party, before returning to the arts. He often spoke about aging with dignity and the value of lifelong curiosity, a sentiment he shared on screen and off.

'You become old when you sit down and expect to be waited on,' he remarked on Grandpas Over Flowers, a line many fans echoed on social media.

Lee's death drew tributes from fans and peers alike, including K-pop stars and President Lee Jae-myung, who praised his warmth, generosity, and wide influence on Korean culture.

Lee's work remains prevalent in the digital era, with scenes from High Kick! resurfacing as memes on platforms like TikTok, keeping his legacy alive for new audiences. Fellow actors, including Yoo Yeon-seok, who trained under him, praised his mastery and mentorship, while Jeong Bo-seok described him as a true life mentor beyond acting.

Additional reporting by Rachel Lee

Key Takeaways

• Lee Soon-jae's career spanned more than seven decades across theatre, film, and television.
• He helped popularize the enduring 'national TV dad' archetype in Korean media.
• He continued acting on stage until late 2024 and earned Korea's top drama prize at the KBS Drama Awards.
• He briefly served as a lawmaker in the 1990s and remained a respected voice on aging and learning.

Expert comment

Expert comment: Dr. Kim Ji-yeon, a media studies professor, notes that Lee's warmth and discipline defined a generation of performers and helped propel the Korean entertainment wave worldwide.

Summary

Lee Soon-jae's life bridged generations of audiences, from traditional stages to prime-time TV. His ability to blend gravitas with warmth made him a trusted figure for decades. His death is a significant moment for Korea’s cultural landscape.

Lee Soon-jae's career bridged generations and media forms, leaving an enduring mark on Korean storytelling. Source: BBC News