Seoul: Lee Soon-jae, a revered figure in South Korean entertainment, passed away on Tuesday at the age of 91, as confirmed by his family. Known for his extensive career spanning nearly seven decades, Lee was a beloved actor whose roles in dramas, sitcoms, and period pieces left an indelible mark on audiences across generations.

According to Yonhap News Agency, Lee was born in Hoeryong, now part of North Korea, in 1934 and moved to Seoul at the age of four, prior to the Korean War. His passion for acting began during his time at Seoul National University, with his professional debut in the play "Beyond the Horizon" in 1956. Lee's career blossomed with numerous performances in television dramas, films, and stage productions.

Lee gained significant recognition for his portrayal of a stern father in the 1991 MBC drama "What on Earth is Love." This role catapulted him into the political arena, leading to his election as a lawmaker for the Democratic Liberal Party in 1992. Despite his political career, Lee continued acting, remaining a fixture on television screens.

After leaving politics in 1996, Lee dedicated himself fully to acting, embracing a variety of roles from historical dramas to contemporary comedies. He experienced a resurgence in popularity with his performance in MBC's sitcom "High Kick!" in 2006, which endeared him to younger audiences.

Lee's career saw another revival with his participation in tvN's reality series "Grandpas Over Flowers" from 2013 to 2018. His energy and enthusiasm during the show earned him the affectionate nickname "Straight-ahead Soon-jae."

His commitment to the craft was particularly evident in theater, notably when he played the lead in "King Lear" at age 87. However, health issues led him to step back from acting in October last year. Remarkably, he became the oldest award recipient at the KBS Drama Awards in 2024.

During a 2016 interview with Yonhap News Agency, Lee reflected on his craft: "Acting, as an artistic act of creation, has no endpoint in one's lifetime, nor is it ever fully complete."

In honor of his contributions to the arts, Culture Minister Chae Hwi-young posthumously awarded Lee the Geumgwan Order of Cultural Merit, South Korea's highest cultural decoration. This marked the first instance in three years of an actor receiving this accolade, following Lee Jung-jae in 2022.