연합뉴스
| yna@yna.co.kr 2025-11-26 11:57:54
SEOUL, Nov. 26 (Yonhap) -- Tributes continued for a second day Wednesday following the death of veteran actor Lee Soon-jae, who passed away Tuesday.
Former Culture, Sports and Tourism Minister Yoo In-chon, who visited the memorial altar Wednesday morning, said Lee was someone who “constantly offered principled advice to younger actors, from their attitude toward acting to the importance of using proper language.”
“It is heartbreaking to think that there is no longer an elder who can offer such blunt advice,” Yoo said. “Personally, he was someone I always wanted to see on the stage and work with in dramas again. His passing pains me deeply.”
Recalling Lee’s performance in the 2021 play “King Lear,” Yoo said, “He performed the original version for several hours each time. The sheer volume of lines he had to memorize required tremendous energy, and I worried about him, but it showed his deep sense of duty as an actor.”
Yoo had presented Lee with the theatrical arts award at the 13th Beautiful Artist Awards ceremony in 2023.
Junior actors who had worked with Lee also took to social media to pay tribute to the late star.
Actor Song Seung-heon, who appeared with Lee in the 2011 MBC drama “My Princess,” wrote on social media, “It was a great honor to spend time working with you. I will never forget your deep acting and warm heart.”
Actor Jung Il-woo said, “It was a true honor to take my very first steps as an actor alongside you. I pray that you rest in peace.” Jung shared photos from the MBC sitcom “High Kick Through the Roof,” in which he played Lee’s grandson, as well as personal moments such as golfing and walking arm in arm, adding, “I love you, grandpa.”
Actress Jin Ji-hee, who played Lee’s granddaughter in “High Kick Through the Roof” and later worked with him in the play “The Seagull,” wrote, “I am deeply grateful that I was able to witness and learn up close from your seriousness toward acting, your sense of responsibility on stage and your outlook on life beyond acting.”
Hwang Jung-eum, who also appeared with Lee in the same sitcom, said, “To someone who knew nothing at the time, you were a warm father. Thank you for leaving unchanging love and memories with so many juniors for so long.”
Actress Song Sun-mi said Lee was “always a great tree who sheltered us,” adding that looking back on his life inspired her to live the rest of her own more meaningfully.
Actress So Yoo-jin described Lee as “a true elder and a respected mentor,” while Lee Ah-hyun said, “He was always the best, both as a teacher and a senior.” Actress Choi Myung-gil also paid respects, calling him “our Lee Soon-jae, whom we all respected and learned from.”
Lee’s coffin was sealed at 11 a.m. Wednesday at his memorial hall at Asan Medical Center in Songpa Ward, eastern Seoul. Renowned hanbok designer Park Sool-nyeo prepared his burial garments.
To honor the late “nation’s actor,” KBS has also set up separate public memorial spaces at its main and annex buildings, where members of the public can pay their respects.
[ⓒ K-VIBE. 무단전재-재배포 금지]