Tears, tributes at Lee Soon-jae's funeral as stars remember beloved national actor
Actor Kim Yeong-cheol delivers a memorial speech at the funeral service for late actor Lee Soon-jae at Seoul Asan Medical Center in eastern Seoul, Thursday. Yonhap
A funeral service was held Thursday for late actor Lee Soon-jae as fellow actors remembered in tears Lee's lifelong passion for acting and his enduring legacy.
"I wish this was just a scene from a drama where he would get up upon hearing 'cut' and say, 'Good job everyone; that was great,'" Kim Yeong-cheol said, his voice breaking during the funeral service at Seoul Asan Medical Center.
"We all knew where we stood when we were near him. Every look he gave us was a sign of support," he said. "We will miss him dearly. I will never forget him, and cannot forget him," he added.
The funeral procession for actor Lee Soon-jae is held at Seoul Asan Medical Center in eastern Seoul, Thursday. Yonhap
In her tribute speech, actress Ha Ji-won remembered him as "a true artist who was always humble about his craft and never stopped asking questions."
She recalled an episode when she confided in him that acting had become more difficult over time. She remembered him comforting her, saying, "Hey, it is difficult for me too."
"I will remember your lesson. I love you," she said.
Actress Ha Ji-won delivers her memorial speech for late actor Lee Soon-jae at Seoul Asan Medical Center in eastern Seoul, Thursday. Yonhap
Calling Lee "the nation's actor who pioneered Korean acting history," Jeong Bo-seok, who emceed the service, said there was hardly an actor who had not been influenced by Lee.
In a memorial video played during the service, which was packed with fellow actors, Lee was asked whether he enjoyed acting. He laughed and replied, "That is why I'm still doing it."
Funeral attendees laid 91 flowers on the coffin, one for each year of the late actor's life. Among the mourners were former students he had taught, some of whom paid their respects with a moment of silence.
Actors lay flowers during the funeral service for late actor Lee Soon-jae at Seoul Asan Medical Center in eastern Seoul, Thursday. Yonhap
Born in 1934 in Hoeryong in what is now North Korea, Lee moved to Seoul at the age of 4 before the 1950-53 Korean War. Lee began acting when he attended Seoul National University, making his debut with the play "Beyond the Horizon" in 1956.
He remained active in his acting career until late last year, recognized across generations for his roles spanning from dramas and sitcoms to period pieces.
In December, he became the oldest recipient of the Grand Prize at the 2024 KBS Drama Awards for his role in "Dog Knows Everything."
At the ceremony, which was his last official public appearance, Lee delivered an emotional acceptance speech, saying, "I've been deeply indebted to the viewers for my whole life."
In recognition of his lifelong contribution to the arts and cultural industry, Culture Minister Chae Hwi-young, on Tuesday, posthumously conferred the Geumgwan Order of Cultural Merit, the highest class of South Korean cultural decoration, on Lee and delivered the award to his family.