Lee Soon-jae
{{short description|South Korean actor (born 1934)}}
{{family name hatnote|Lee||lang=Korean}}
{{Infobox person
| name = Lee Soon-jae
| native_name = 이순재
| image = 190916 이순재.jpg
| caption = Lee in September 2019
| birth_date = {{birth date and age|1934|11|16}}{{refn |group=note|name=dob|Lee Soon-jae was born on November 16, 1934, while his registered birth date is October 10, 1935.}}
| birth_place = Hoeryong, Kankyōhoku Province, Korea, Empire of Japan
| occupation = Actor
| nationality = South Korean
| years_active = 1956–present
| alma_mater = Seoul National University (BPhil)
| spouse = {{marriage|Choi Hee-jung|1966}}
| children = 2
| honours = {{plainlist|
- File:ROK_Order_of_Cultural_Merit_Eun-gwan_(2nd_Class)_ribbon.PNG Eungwan Order of Cultural Merit (2018)
- File:ROK Order of Cultural Merit Bo-gwan (3rd Class) ribbon.PNG Bogwan Order of Cultural Merit (2004)}}
| module = {{Infobox Korean name/auto|child=yes|headercolor=transparent
| hangul = %이순재
| hanja = 李純才
| hangulborn = %이순재
| hanjaborn = 李順載
}}
}}
Lee Soon-jae ({{Korean|이순재}}; born November 16, 1934){{Cite web|script-title=ko:'해피투게더' 이순재 "1934년 함경북도 회령 출생"|url=https://www.starnewskorea.com/stview.php?no=2014091123233749262|website=Star News|date=2014-09-11|access-date=2018-01-07|archive-date=2016-04-23|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160423022827/http://star.mt.co.kr/view/stview.php?no=2014091123233749262|url-status=live}}{{refn |group=note|name=dob}} is a South Korean actor. He has had a prolific career on the small and big screen spanning over six decades,{{cite web|last=Lee|first=Ji-young|title=Lee Soon-jae reflects on his 60-year career|url=https://koreajoongangdaily.joins.com/news/article/Article.aspx?aid=3007430|website=Korea JoongAng Daily|date=3 August 2015|access-date=2015-08-06|archive-date=2023-04-07|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230407121536/https://koreajoongangdaily.joins.com/news/article/Article.aspx?aid=3007430|url-status=live}}{{cite web|title=Interview with senior actors about Korean dramas|url=http://english.donga.com/srv/service.php3?bicode=130000&biid=2013093013358|work=The Dong-A Ilbo|access-date=2014-01-24|date=30 September 2013|archive-date=2015-06-26|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150626135945/http://english.donga.com/srv/service.php3?bicode=130000&biid=2013093013358|url-status=live}} and was given a second-class Eungwan Order of Cultural Merit for his work as an actor. Lee made his debut on the TV screen in 1961 with the first drama of KBS' opening Should I become a human too.{{Cite web |script-title=ko:[특별기획 : 베테랑 토크③] 이순재 "나는 무대에서 연기하다 죽고 싶어..그게 다야!" |trans-title=[Special Project: Veteran Talk③] Lee Soon-jae "I want to die while acting on stage.. That's it!" |url=https://v.daum.net/v/nYM8EPjTx4 |access-date=2023-07-22 |website=언론사 뷰 |archive-date=2023-07-22 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230722054219/https://v.daum.net/v/nYM8EPjTx4 |url-status=live }}
Early life and education
Lee was born in Hoeryong, North Hamgyong Province, now part of North Korea.{{cite web|title=Internet Generation Discovers Pre-TV Age Actor|url=http://english.chosun.com/site/data/html_dir/2007/01/26/2007012661030.html|work=The Chosun Ilbo|access-date=2013-07-04|date=26 January 2007|archive-date=2023-04-07|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230407000907/http://english.chosun.com/site/data/html_dir/2007/01/26/2007012661030.html|url-status=live}} When he was four years old, his family moved to Seoul where Lee's grandparents were living. Lee's grandfather ran a small real estate business, while his father produced and sold soaps. Lee was raised in the neighborhood of Ahyeon-dong, and graduated from Seoul High School and the prestigious Seoul National University.{{cite web|url=http://www.kmdb.or.kr/2006contents/kfilm_people_view.asp?idx=7&page=1|script-title=ko:이순재 - 성실한 성격파 배우|trans-title=Lee Soon-jae, diligent characteristic actor|work=Korean Movie Database|access-date=2010-02-13|year=2003|last=Jo|first=Hui-mun|language=ko|archive-date=2013-02-05|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130205135705/http://kmdb.or.kr/2006contents/kfilm_people_view.asp?idx=7&page=1|url-status=live}}Go, Ji-yeon (1 October 2008). [http://www.ithedaily.com/news/articleView.html?idxno=25390 "모교 서울대 이순재 초청강연..."리더, 국민 뜻 포용해야""] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120303064634/http://www.ithedaily.com/news/articleView.html?idxno=25390 |date=2012-03-03 }}. The Daily (in Korean). Retrieved 2013-07-04. He also holds an insurance planning license as celebrities without the license cannot become endorsers or spokespeople of related products.{{Cite news|url=http://www.koreaboo.com/lists/10-celebrities-special-licenses-never-knew/|title=10+ Celebrities With Special Licenses You Never Knew They Had — Koreaboo|date=2017-08-15|work=Koreaboo|access-date=2017-08-21|language=en-US|archive-date=2017-08-21|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170821031047/http://www.koreaboo.com/lists/10-celebrities-special-licenses-never-knew/|url-status=live}}{{Unreliable source?|reason=See reliable sources list on WP:KO/RS|date=May 2025}}
Lee interest in acting begin around the 1950s, when films from various countries came into Korea, and Lee Soon-jae began to have a longing for 'art' while watching these works. He mainly watched Italian, French, and British works. He was especially impressed by Italian films that pursued neo-realism. Also, while watching American works that coexist commercial and artistic aspects, he thought that it would be nice if he could act like that. When he went to England of UK, he saw Shakespeare's Hamlet, Richard III, and Romeo and Juliet. He really liked Laurence Olivier. He really was a regal artist. Lee decide to do acting in the winter of his second year at university.{{Cite web |last= |date=2015-12-06 |script-title=ko:[창간 15주년/대한민국 명장열전] (21) 남녀노소가 사랑하는 배우 이순재 |trans-title=[15th anniversary of the founding/Korea's famous exhibition] (21) Lee Soon-jae, an actor loved by men and women of all ages |url=https://www.fnnews.com/news/201512061943501593 |access-date=2023-07-22 |website=The Financial News |language=ko|archive-date=2023-07-22 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230722052028/https://www.fnnews.com/news/201512061943501593 |url-status=live }}
Lee wanted to go on stage in a play, so he went to work every day at 'East Salon' coffee shop on Myeongdong street where Lee Hae-rang worked. Lee Hae-rang's father, a doctor in Busan, made it for his son to live on because his son couldn't make money in theater. It was a gathering place for artists and writers. Poets like Park In-hwan and Kim Soo-young were regulars.
After being discharged from the military, Lee worked as a salaried worker as the head of the broadcasting office, but only the thought that this was not his path was getting stronger. He went to the drama center and asked Lee Hae-rang for one role. Coincidentally, the role of Mercutio in Romeo and Juliet was vacant. He said, "From now on, I'm prepared to starve" and decided to act. When his father came to stop his son from his hardships, he said, "It must be this or that." "I didn't have the talent to do anything else. In the end, my father surrendered, saying, "Wouldn't it be a world where you can earn money if you become first-class no matter what you do?"
Career
Lee Soon-jae made his debut in 1956 with play 'Beyond the Horizon' when he was a senior at the Department of Philosophy at Seoul National University.{{Cite web |last= |date=2016-08-28 |script-title=ko:[인터뷰] 이순재 "연기란 완성 없어...죽을 때까지 새로운 몸짓 추구해야" |trans-title=[Interview] Lee Soon-jae "There is no completion of acting... I have to pursue a new gesture until I die" |url=https://www.segye.com/view/20160828000909 |access-date=2023-03-11 |website=Segye Ilbo |language=ko |archive-date=2023-03-11 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230311001630/https://www.segye.com/view/20160828000909 |url-status=live }} In the 1950s and 1960s he was known, along with other veteran actors like Yeo Woon-kay, as the original stars of daehakgeuk or amateur student theatrical productions.{{cite web|last=Lee|first=Hyo-won|title=Actress Yeo Woon-gae, 69, Dies of Lung Cancer|url=https://www.koreatimes.co.kr/www/news/nation/2009/05/121_45527.html|work=The Korea Times|date=22 May 2009|access-date=22 May 2009|archive-date=24 May 2009|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090524194723/http://www.koreatimes.co.kr/www/news/nation/2009/05/121_45527.html|url-status=live}}
The stage has simultaneity of action. Filming a movie or drama is no different from the pre-filming process, and the video is cut and edited. However, on stage, the director cannot intervene whether the actors are good or bad, and they have no choice but to rely entirely on the actors. Lawrence Olivier said, "Film is the director's art, drama is the writer's art, and theater is the actor's art." Of course, it's not that actors do whatever they want on stage. It follows as suggested by the writer and director, but in the midst of it, there is an independent window for the actor. In a play, the role of an actor is the most important. In that sense, from the actor's point of view, the 'act' of this play is worth doing. Also, there is nothing more rewarding than when we interpret and analyze the works of great masters, deliver their literature and philosophy to the audience, and get a response. So theater is something actors must do. Lee Soon-jae about Theater.{{Cite web |script-title=ko:[특별기획 : 베테랑 토크①] 이순재 "연극은 배우의 예술..꼭 해볼만한 행위" |trans-title=[Special Project: Veteran Talk①] Lee Soon-jae "Theatre is an actor's art.. An act worth trying to do" |url=https://v.daum.net/v/20170412103050132 |access-date=2023-07-22 |website=언론사 뷰 |archive-date=2023-07-22 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230722054743/https://v.daum.net/v/20170412103050132 |url-status=live }}Lee has since built a prolific career on the small and big screen spanning nearly six decades. Lee made his debut on the TV screen in 1961 with the first drama of KBS's opening, 'Should I become a human too'. From the opening of TBC in 1964 to the media consolidation in 1980, he swept the home theater as an exclusive talent for 16 years. The reason Lee did TV dramas was to make a living. "Until 1968, I did more than 12 years of acting, but I never received a penny. The first time I got paid was 'Death of a Salesman', which was a big hit in 1978."
He was most active in film in the late 1960s through the 1970s, most notably in Yu Hyun-mok's Bun-rye's Story. As he grew older, Lee shifted to a primarily TV career in the 1990s, receiving acclaim for his roles in the television dramas Live As I Please (written by Yoo Ho), Pungwoon (Crisis), What is Love (written by Kim Soo-hyun) and Hur Jun.{{cite web|url=http://www.kmdb.or.kr/actor/mm_basic.asp?person_id=00004082|script-title=ko:이순재|trans-title=Lee Soon-jae|work=Korean Movie Database|access-date=2010-02-09|language=ko|archive-date=2012-12-19|archive-url=https://archive.today/20121219230034/http://www.kmdb.or.kr/actor/mm_basic.asp?person_id=00004082|url-status=live}}{{cite web|last=Park|first=Jin-hai|title=Culture minister hails elderly entertainers|url=https://www.koreatimes.co.kr/www/news/culture/2013/05/386_135397.html|work=The Korea Times|access-date=2013-07-04|date=9 May 2013|archive-date=2013-07-09|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130709111850/http://www.koreatimes.co.kr/www/news/culture/2013/05/386_135397.html|url-status=live}}{{cite web|title=Interview with Lee Soon-jae (September 5, 2007), who plays the role of King Young-jo in Lee San, Wind of the Palace|url=http://content.mbc.co.kr/english/interview/1673260_56322.html|website=MBC Global Media|access-date=2014-06-13|date=3 March 2008|archive-date=2015-04-05|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150405230720/http://content.mbc.co.kr/english/interview/1673260_56322.html|url-status=live}}
From 1992 to 1996, Lee served as a member of the 14th National Assembly of South Korea.{{cite web|last=Yoon|first=Won-sup|title=Politainers Speak Out Again in 2007 Election|url=https://www.koreatimes.co.kr/www/news/opinon/2010/09/160_14541.html|work=The Korea Times|access-date=2013-07-04|date=28 November 2007|archive-date=2016-03-04|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160304065231/http://www.koreatimes.co.kr/www/news/opinon/2010/09/160_14541.html|url-status=live}} He quit politics after one term after finding the political climate "too barren" for his taste.{{cite web|last=Lee|first=Eun-joo|title=Serious politicians or image-builders?|url=http://koreajoongangdaily.joins.com/news/article/article.aspx?aid=2889013|work=Korea JoongAng Daily|access-date=2013-07-06|date=23 April 2008|archive-date=2014-11-01|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141101204408/http://koreajoongangdaily.joins.com/news/article/article.aspx?aid=2889013|url-status=live}} Lee remains active in his various advocacies, such as the Korea Broadcasting Actors Union.{{cite web|last=Kim|first=Bo-ra|title=KBS actors protest against non-payment|url=http://www.koreaherald.com/view.php?ud=20121121000725|work=The Korea Herald|access-date=2013-07-04|date=21 November 2012|archive-date=2016-10-06|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20161006100408/http://www.koreaherald.com/view.php?ud=20121121000725|url-status=live}}{{cite web|last1=Lee|first1=Jeong-yoon|last2=Kim|first2=Sung-mi|title=World Traditional Medicine EXPO to be held in Sancheong in 2013|url=http://www.koreaherald.com/view.php?ud=20120224001067|work=The Korea IT Times|access-date=2013-07-04|date=9 March 2012|archive-date=2016-03-03|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160303223225/http://www.koreaherald.com/view.php?ud=20120224001067|url-status=live}}{{cite web|last=Ji|first=Yong-jin|title=Organizing Committee Meeting for 5th DMZ Docs Held|url=http://www.koreanfilm.or.kr/jsp/news/news.jsp?mode=VIEW&seq=2512|work=Korean Film Council|access-date=2013-07-04|date=29 March 2013|archive-date=2014-12-19|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141219163849/http://www.koreanfilm.or.kr/jsp/news/news.jsp?mode=VIEW&seq=2512|url-status=live}}
He is also a professor of Film Arts at Sejong University, a professor emeritus of Performing Arts at Gachon University, and the director of the SG Academy.{{Cite web |date=2017-04-12 |script-title=ko:[특별기획 : 베테랑 토크②] 이순재 "후배 김명민, 연기 본질에 가장 가까운 배우" 극찬 |trans-title=[Special Project: Veteran Talk 2] Lee Soon-jae "Sooner Kim Myung-min, the actor closest to the essence of acting" rave reviews |url=https://sports.donga.com/3/all/20170412/83793105/2 |access-date=2023-07-22 |website=스포츠동아 |language=ko |archive-date=2023-07-22 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230722053424/https://sports.donga.com/3/all/20170412/83793105/2 |url-status=live }} After starring in Hur Jun, he was given an honorary doctorate in Oriental Medicine by Kyung Hee University.
In 2018, Lee was awarded a second-class Eungwan Order of Cultural Merit by the Korean government, for his work as an actor.[https://www.soompi.com/article/1251177wpp/bts-red-velvet-son-ye-jin-yoo-jae-suk-express-thanks-2018-korean-popular-culture-arts-awards] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211028115938/https://www.soompi.com/article/1251177wpp/bts-red-velvet-son-ye-jin-yoo-jae-suk-express-thanks-2018-korean-popular-culture-arts-awards|date=2021-10-28}} soompi.com. retrieved 2018-10-25{{Unreliable source?|reason=See reliable sources list on WP:KO/RS|date=May 2025}}
=Recent works=
==High Kick!==
In 2007, Lee, by then a distinguished veteran actor, reached new heights of mainstream popularity when he starred in the sitcom Unstoppable High Kick!. One particular scene became a huge hit among young audiences: when his stern grandfather character discovers porn while browsing through a family member's computer files, then embarrassingly gets caught watching. It went viral, giving rise to numerous parodies in which "Yadong (Porn) Soon-jae" is involved in R-rated hijinks. Lee was surprised that even his granddaughter asked for his autograph for her friends, adding, "Even during my best years, my daughter never asked me for that." Despite having no superstars in the cast, the sitcom received high ratings, which Lee attributed to successfully building comic tension. He said, "For an actor to be funny, he's got to play things straight. [...] It's about finding the comedy in something serious." But Lee also lamented the recent trend of casting inexperienced actors in leading roles on TV, saying, "It's important to know the basics, like the language. How can you act, when you don't even know how to pronounce? Acting is not a simple thing, and this I can say from experience." He later returned as the family patriarch in High Kick Through the Roof, which shares the same concept as the previous sitcom, but with a different cast and characters.{{cite web|last=Han|first=Sang-hee|title=Network to Bring New Sitcom, Dramas|url=https://www.koreatimes.co.kr/www/news/art/2009/09/201_51066.html|work=The Korea Times|access-date=2013-07-05|date=1 September 2009|archive-date=2014-08-12|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140812223521/http://www.koreatimes.co.kr/www/news/art/2009/09/201_51066.html|url-status=live}}{{cite web|last=Han|first=Sang-hee|title=Experienced Actors Stealing Spotlight|url=https://www.koreatimes.co.kr/www/news/art/2009/09/201_51915.html|work=The Korea Times|access-date=2013-07-05|date=16 September 2009|archive-date=2016-03-04|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160304063504/http://www.koreatimes.co.kr/www/news/art/2009/09/201_51915.html|url-status=live}}
==Good Morning President==
In 2009, Lee made his big screen comeback after 20 years in television, in Jang Jin's comedy Good Morning President. The movie tells the story of three fictional Korean presidents, and in the first segment, Lee played a well-respected elderly president nearing the end of his term who espouses frugality and charity, but then agonizes whether to take the money when he unexpectedly wins the lottery. Lee said, "I was impressed with how much times have changed; before it would have been impossible to parody the president. The film tries to show that heads of state are only human, just like you and me, which I think makes the movie distinctive, as well as fresh and fun for viewers."{{cite web|last=Lee|first=Hyo-won|title=Actor Jang Dong-kun Returns as President|url=https://www.koreatimes.co.kr/www/news/art/2009/09/141_52271.html|access-date=2013-07-04|work=The Korea Times|date=22 September 2009|archive-date=2015-02-14|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150214222312/http://www.koreatimes.co.kr/www/news/art/2009/09/141_52271.html|url-status=live}}{{cite web|last=Park|first=Sun-young|title=Korean stars take turns playing president|url=http://koreajoongangdaily.joins.com/news/article/article.aspx?aid=2910496|work=Korea JoongAng Daily|access-date=2013-07-04|date=24 September 2009|archive-date=2014-11-18|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141118080136/http://koreajoongangdaily.joins.com/news/article/article.aspx?aid=2910496|url-status=live}}
==Late Blossom==
In 2011, Lee, Yoon So-jung, Song Jae-ho and Kim Soo-mi starred in Late Blossom, a tearjerker romance about two elderly couples, based on the popular webtoon I Love You by Kang Full.{{cite web|last=Cha|first=Hyo-jin|title=I Love You, The Most Beautiful Confession|url=http://www.worldyannews.com/news/articleView.html?idxno=1384|work=Worldyan News|access-date=2013-07-05|date=14 February 2013|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140606214250/http://www.worldyannews.com/news/articleView.html?idxno=1384|archive-date=6 June 2014|url-status=dead}} Lee said the movie was a rare chance for him and other senior actors to play leading roles on the big screen. He added that Korea's senior citizen population had surpassed five million, and "not understanding their feelings would be a failure of television dramas, movies and even elections. Young people might be under the illusion that life is over after turning 60, but the heart doesn't change despite getting old."{{cite web|last=Kwon|first=Mee-yoo|title=Blossom portrays love in twilight years|url=https://www.koreatimes.co.kr/www/news/art/2011/03/141_80850.html|work=The Korea Times|access-date=2013-07-04|date=6 February 2011|archive-date=2014-06-06|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140606212854/http://www.koreatimes.co.kr/www/news/art/2011/03/141_80850.html|url-status=live}} Initially difficult to finance due to ageism, Late Blossom had a small shooting and marketing budget compared to most Korean mainstream films. But it became a sleeper hit, recouping four times its cost in just a few weeks. Lee also won Best Actor under the international film category at the China Golden Rooster and Hundred Flowers Film Festival, becoming its oldest recipient. Lee said, "I never thought I'd win. What a surprise. It feels great to know that Late Blossom has been received well overseas. I thought it would be hard for an actor from television dramas to be awarded a prize at film awards, not to mention the unexpected pleasure of winning at a foreign film festival. I have received the best entertainer award and achievement award before, but receiving this makes me happier and more thrilled." It was his first best actor award for a film in 34 years since the 1977 Baeksang Arts Awards.{{cite web|last=Choi|first=Min-ji|title=Lee Soon Jae Wins Best Actor Award at Major Chinese Film Awards|url=http://mwave.interest.me/enewsworld/article/1254|access-date=2013-07-04|work=enewsWorld|date=28 October 2011}}{{cite web|last=Hong|first=Lucia|title=Lee Soon-jae wins best actor award at Chinese film fest|url=http://www.asiae.co.kr/news/view.htm?idxno=2011102810401935785|access-date=2013-07-04|work=10Asia|date=28 October 2011|archive-date=2023-04-07|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230407121541/http://www.asiae.co.kr/news/view.htm?idxno=2011102810401935785|url-status=live}}
==Theater==
Lee returned to the stage in 2012 in Father, a Korean adaptation of Arthur Miller's play Death of a Salesman. This was his third time to play the character Willy Loman. Lee said, "When I first played this role in 1978, some parts were rather incomprehensible. But now, as our society developed, we can finally fully understand what those lines mean. That is the beauty of working on masterpieces like Arthur Miller's. I feel a satisfaction and regret at the same time, for I have reached a new comprehension, and for the perspective that I have yet to discover."{{cite web|last=Lee|first=So-young|title=What Father Means to us|url=http://www.dgupost.com/news/articleView.html?idxno=1324|work=The Dongguk Post|access-date=2013-07-04|date=5 November 2012|archive-date=2016-03-05|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160305205433/http://www.dgupost.com/news/articleView.html?idxno=1324|url-status=live}}{{cite web|title=An interview with Lee Soon Jae, currently headlining the play Father|url=http://lsgfan.wordpress.com/2012/09/08/lee-soon-jae-talks-his-play-father-and-acting-shows-love-for-the-likes-of-kim-myung-min-lee-seung-gi-ha-ji-won/|work=LSGfan|access-date=2013-07-04|date=6 September 2012|archive-date=2012-11-05|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121105025621/http://lsgfan.wordpress.com/2012/09/08/lee-soon-jae-talks-his-play-father-and-acting-shows-love-for-the-likes-of-kim-myung-min-lee-seung-gi-ha-ji-won/|url-status=live}}{{Unreliable source?|reason=See reliable sources list on WP:KO/RS|date=May 2025}} He reprised the role in 2013, under the direction of Kim Myung-gon.{{cite web|title=Touching and Healing Drama Father|url=http://www.k-popculture.com/?p=2349|work=K-PopCulture|access-date=2013-07-08|date=9 April 2013|archive-date=2014-11-07|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141107185721/http://www.k-popculture.com/?p=2349|url-status=live}}
==Grandpas Over Flowers==
In 2013, cable channel tvN launched the travel-reality show Grandpas Over Flowers (the title parodies the manga Boys Over Flowers). It marked producer Na Young-seok's first variety show since leaving KBS, where he was best known for creating the first season of hit variety show 2 Days & 1 Night.{{cite web |last=Woo |first=Jae-yeon |title=Golden Guys Get Good Ratings |url=https://blogs.wsj.com/korearealtime/2013/07/19/golden-guys-get-good-ratings/ |date=July 19, 2014 |access-date=2014-09-11 |website=The Wall Street Journal |archive-date=2023-08-02 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230802190343/https://www.wsj.com/articles/BL-KRTB-3964 |url-status=live }} Defying a youth-centered entertainment industry, the hit show stars four veteran actors in their 70s, Shin Goo, Park Geun-hyung and Baek Il-seob, with their porter Lee Seo-jin as they go on a backpacking tour of France, Taiwan and Spain.{{cite web |date=12 June 2013 |title=Senior actors lead TV show, defying youth-centered industry |url=http://www.koreaherald.com/view.php?ud=20130612001034 |access-date=2013-07-04 |work=The Korea Herald |archive-date=2013-07-09 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130709083914/http://www.koreaherald.com/view.php?ud=20130612001034 |url-status=live }}{{cite web |last=Lee |first=Sun-min |date=28 June 2013 |title=Grandpa actors get own show |url=http://koreajoongangdaily.joins.com/news/article/article.aspx?aid=2973778 |access-date=2013-07-04 |work=Korea JoongAng Daily |archive-date=2013-10-04 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131004213911/http://koreajoongangdaily.joins.com/news/article/article.aspx?aid=2973778 |url-status=live }}{{cite web |title=Grandpas' Flowery Youth |url=http://www.kmdb.or.kr/eng/vod/special_list_view.asp?idx=365 |access-date=2013-10-02 |work=Korean Movie Database |archive-date=2014-09-11 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140911023629/http://www.kmdb.or.kr/eng/vod/special_list_view.asp?idx=365 |url-status=live }}
The first season aired from July 5 to August 16, 2013, with seven episodes. It was filmed in Paris, Strasbourg, Bern, and Lucerne.{{cite web |last=Hong |first=Grace Danbi |date=3 July 2013 |title=Flower H4 Takes Veteran Actors to Europe |url=http://mwave.interest.me/enewsworld/en/article/39781/gramps-over-flowers-to-air-soon |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140911133028/http://mwave.interest.me/enewsworld/en/article/39781/gramps-over-flowers-to-air-soon |archive-date=11 September 2014 |access-date=11 September 2014 |website=enewsWorld}} It was immediately followed by the airing of the second season from August 23 to September 20, 2013. The five episodes were filmed in Taiwan,{{cite web |last=Lee |first=Sun-min |date=17 July 2013 |title=Grandpas new season set in Taiwan |url=http://koreajoongangdaily.joins.com/news/article/article.aspx?aid=2974686 |access-date=11 September 2014 |website=Korea JoongAng Daily |archive-date=7 August 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230807115853/https://koreajoongangdaily.joins.com/news/article/article.aspx?aid=2974686 |url-status=live }}{{cite web |last=Lee |first=Sun-min |date=24 July 2013 |title=Grandpas Over Flowers take off for Taiwan |url=http://koreajoongangdaily.joins.com/news/article/article.aspx?aid=2975031 |access-date=11 September 2014 |website=Korea JoongAng Daily |archive-date=11 September 2014 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140911101812/http://koreajoongangdaily.joins.com/news/article/article.aspx?aid=2975031 |url-status=live }}{{cite web |last=Lee |first=Sun-min |date=31 July 2013 |title=Grandpas Over Flowers wraps up filming in Taiwan |url=http://koreajoongangdaily.joins.com/news/article/article.aspx?aid=2975379 |access-date=11 September 2014 |website=Korea JoongAng Daily |archive-date=11 September 2014 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140911103539/http://koreajoongangdaily.joins.com/news/article/article.aspx?aid=2975379 |url-status=live }} with an additional two-episode special featuring unaired footage on September 27 and October 4, 2013. The third season aired from March 7 to May 2, 2014, with eight episodes. It was filmed in Spain, specifically the cities of Barcelona, Granada, Seville, Ronda, and Madrid.{{cite web |last=Hong |first=Grace Danbi |date=21 January 2014 |title=Grandpas Over Flowers to Head Over to Spain |url=http://mwave.interest.me/enewsworld/en/article/56514/grandpas-go-to-spain |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140911131344/http://mwave.interest.me/enewsworld/en/article/56514/grandpas-go-to-spain |archive-date=11 September 2014 |access-date=11 September 2014 |website=enewsWorld}}{{cite web |date=5 March 2014 |title=Na PD on grandpas, money, and Seo-jinnie the con artist |url=http://www.dramabeans.com/2014/03/na-pd-on-grandpas-money-and-seo-jinnie-the-con-artist/ |access-date=11 September 2014 |website=Dramabeans |archive-date=11 September 2014 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140911115235/http://www.dramabeans.com/2014/03/na-pd-on-grandpas-money-and-seo-jinnie-the-con-artist/ |url-status=live }} Shin Goo also went on a solo trip to Lisbon. The fourth season aired from March 27 to May 8, 2015, with seven episodes. It was filmed in Dubai and Greece, with Choi Ji-woo joining as a second travel guide and assistant.{{cite web |last=Yeo |first=Jun-suk |date=24 March 2015 |title=Choi Ji-woo is real gem in Grandpas over Flowers |url=http://www.koreaherald.com/view.php?ud=20150324001132 |access-date=8 April 2015 |website=The Korea Herald |archive-date=8 March 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230308030432/https://www.koreaherald.com/view.php?ud=20150324001132 |url-status=live }}{{cite web |last=Kim |first=Jae-heun |date=25 March 2015 |title=Hallyu star joins Grandpas Over Flowers |url=https://www.koreatimes.co.kr/www/news/culture/2015/03/135_175890.html |access-date=8 April 2015 |website=The Korea Times |archive-date=26 March 2015 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150326172250/http://www.koreatimes.co.kr/www/news/culture/2015/03/135_175890.html |url-status=live }}{{cite web |last=Jin |first=Eun-soo |date=26 March 2015 |title=Korea's 4 favorite Grandpas return |url=http://koreajoongangdaily.joins.com/news/article/Article.aspx?aid=3002376 |access-date=8 April 2015 |website=Korea JoongAng Daily |archive-date=14 April 2015 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150414062639/http://koreajoongangdaily.joins.com/news/article/Article.aspx?aid=3002376 |url-status=live }}
After a few years' break, a fifth season titled Grandpa Over Flowers Returns aired from June 29 to August 24, 2018, with nine episodes. Actor Kim Yong-gun joined the cast for the trip filmed in Germany, Czech Republic and Austria.
==Idol School==
In 2017, he joined Idol School as principal and narrator. Idol School is a survival program, making a new permanent girl group in 11 weeks. They are trained in dance, vocal, and physical education while gathering votes from public and performing on stages.
As of 2019, he is the oldest active actor and the oldest actor. Song Hae-ga (Donggap, Im Kwon-taek) is the only senior artist among all celebrities. He was the first to be dedicated to the Korean Broadcasting Hall of Fame and earlier to the MBC Hall of Fame.{{Cite web|title=2018 실버문화 홍보대사로 국민배우 이순재 씨 위촉|url=https://news.naver.com/main/read.nhn?mode=LSD&mid=sec&oid=298&aid=0000247293&sid1=001|access-date=2020-06-16|website=Naver News|language=ko|archive-date=2020-06-16|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200616063950/https://news.naver.com/main/read.nhn?mode=LSD&mid=sec&oid=298&aid=0000247293&sid1=001|url-status=live}}
Personal life
Lee first met his wife Choi Hee-jung as a university student as she was the sister of his fellow student theater troupe member.{{cite news |date=30 December 2020 |title='TV는 사랑을 싣고' 이순재, "아내, 처제 연극에서 첫만남" 묻따 직진 ♥로맨스 [종합] |language=ko |work=The Chosun Ilbo |url=https://www.chosun.com/entertainments/entertain_photo/2020/12/30/QL2CKSWXFLMVNU7UWBSI6QJ56Q/ |access-date=6 December 2021 |archive-date=6 December 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211206014956/https://www.chosun.com/entertainments/entertain_photo/2020/12/30/QL2CKSWXFLMVNU7UWBSI6QJ56Q/ |url-status=live }} They married in 1966 and have two children.
Filmography
=Television series=
| class="wikitable sortable" style="clear:none; font-size:100%; padding:0 auto; width:100%; margin:auto"
|+List of Television series(s) |
| rowspan="2" scope="col" | Year
! colspan="2" scope="col" | Title ! rowspan="2" scope="col" | Role |
|---|
| English
! Korean |
| 2024
|개소리 |Lee Soon-jae{{Cite web |last=Nam |first=Yo-jeong |date=August 20, 2024 |title= |script-title=ko: '국대' 원로 배우들, 드라마·연극 넘나들며 '관록' 뽐낸다 |trans-title='National Team' veteran actors show off their 'experience' by moving between dramas and plays |url=https://m.entertain.naver.com/article/082/0001282822 |access-date=September 6, 2024 |website=Busan Ilbo |language=ko |via=Naver |archive-date=August 20, 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240820155833/https://m.entertain.naver.com/article/082/0001282822 |url-status=live }} |
| 2023
|패밀리 |
| rowspan="2" |2022
| 어게인 마이 라이프 | Woo Yong-soo{{cite web|author=Jo Ji-young|url=https://entertain.naver.com/read?oid=076&aid=0003837504|script-title=ko:[공식] 이준기 컴백 '어게인 마이 라이프', '악의 마음을 읽는 자들' 후속 4월 8일 첫방송 확정|trans-title=[Official] Lee Joon-gi's comeback 'Again My Life' and 'Those who read the minds of evil' follow-up first broadcast on April 8 confirmed|work=Sports Chosun|via=Naver|date=March 2, 2022|access-date=March 2, 2022|language=ko|archive-date=March 2, 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220302031327/https://entertain.naver.com/read?oid=076&aid=0003837504|url-status=live}} |
| The Red Sleeve
| 옷소매 붉은 끝동 | Special appearances{{cite web|url=https://entertain.naver.com/now/read?oid=076&aid=0003817163|author=Lee Seung-mi|script-title=ko:[공식]'대배우' 이순재, '옷소매 붉은 끝동' 최종회 특별출연|trans-title=[Official] 'Great Actor' Lee Soon-jae to make a special appearance in the final episode of 'Red Sleeves|publisher=Sports Chosun|via=Naver|date=December 30, 2021|access-date=December 30, 2021|language=ko|archive-date=April 7, 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230407043047/https://entertain.naver.com/now/read?oid=076&aid=0003817163|url-status=live}} |
| 2020
|도도솔솔라라솔 |Kim Man-Dok |
| rowspan="2" |2019
|쌉니다 천리마마트 |Kim Dae-ma |
| Legal High{{cite news|url=http://news.jtbc.joins.com/article/article.aspx?news_id=NB11750089|script-title=ko:리갈하이' 대배우 이순재 전격 합류...진구와 '코믹호흡'|website=JTBC|date=3 January 2019|language=ko|access-date=30 January 2019|archive-date=15 February 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220215011318/https://news.jtbc.joins.com/article/article.aspx?news_id=NB11750089|url-status=live}}
|리갈 하이 |Gu Se-jong |
| 2018
|Live |라이브 |Lee Soon-Jae |
| 2017
|돈꽃 |Jang Kook-hwan{{cite web|url=https://entertain.naver.com/read?oid=076&aid=0003161670|last=Kim|first=Seong-won|script-title=ko:돈꽃' 장혁X박세영X이순재X이미숙, 첫 대본리딩 현장 포착|trans-title=Money Flower' Jang Hyuk, Park Se-Young, Lee Soon-Jae, and Lee Im-Sook have their first script reading|publisher=Sports Chosun|via=Naver|date=October 12, 2017|access-date=July 5, 2023|language=ko|archive-date=July 5, 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230705135854/https://entertain.naver.com/read?oid=076&aid=0003161670|url-status=live}} |
| rowspan="2" |2016
|디어 마이 프렌즈 |(cameo) |
| {{ill|Yeah, That's How It Is|ko|그래, 그런거야}}
|그래, 그런거야 |Yoo Jong Chul |
| rowspan="3" |2015
|The Scholar Who Walks the Night |밤을 걷는 선비 |King Hyeonjo |
| Make a Woman Cry
|여자를 울려 |Kang Tae-hwan |
| Unkind Ladies
|착하지 않은 여자들 |Kim Chul-hee |
| rowspan="3" |2014
|왕의 얼굴 |Baek Kyung |
| Drama Festival: "Turning Point"
|드라마 페스티벌 - 터닝포인트 |Lee Soon-jae |
| Flower Grandpa Investigation Unit
|꽃할배 수사대 |Lee Joon-hyuk |
| rowspan="2" |2013
|감자별 2013QR3 |Noh Song |
| Ugly Alert
|못난이 주의보 |Na Sang-jin |
| rowspan="5" |2012
|무자식 상팔자 |Ahn Ho-shik |
| The King's Doctor
|마의 |Ko Joo-man |
| Late Blossom
|그대를 사랑합니다 |Kim Man-seok |
| The King 2 Hearts
|더킹 투하츠 |Eun Kyu-tae |
| Korean Peninsula
|한반도 |Kang Dae-hyun |
| rowspan="3" |2011
|천번의 입맞춤 |Jang Byung-doo |
| The Princess' Man
|공주의 남자 |
| My Princess
|마이 프린세스 |Park Dong-jae |
| rowspan="6" |2010
|대물 |Baek Sung-min |
| Flames of Desire
|욕망의 불꽃 |Kim Tae-jin |
| Coffee House
|커피하우스 |Seo Eun-young's grandfather |
| The Miracle of Love
|사랑의 기적 |cardiologist |
| Stars Falling from the Sky
|별을 따다줘 |Jung-gook |
| Master of Prescriptions
|처방의 고수 | |
| rowspan="4" |2009
|Father, Your Place |아버지, 당신의 자리 |Lee Sung-bok |
| High Kick Through the Roof
|지붕뚫고 하이킥! |Lee Soon-jae |
| Children of Heaven
|천국의 아이들 | |
| Queen Seondeok
|선덕여왕 |
| rowspan="3" |2008
|사랑해, 울지마 |Han Gyu-il |
| Beethoven Virus
|베토벤 바이러스 |Kim Kap-yong |
| Mom's Dead Upset
|엄마가 뿔났다 |Na Choong-bok |
| rowspan="3" |2007
|이산 |
| Love Isn't Stop: "Ex-lover"
|사랑은 쉬지 않는다 |Sarangyeot |
| When Spring Comes
|꽃피는 봄이 오면 |Lee Jae-shik |
| rowspan="2" |2006
|거침없이 하이킥! |Lee Soon-jae |
| The Vineyard Man
|포도밭 그 사나이 |Lee Byung-dal |
| rowspan="5" |2005
|이 죽일놈의 사랑 | |
| Bride from Hanoi
|하노이 신부 |Song Il-ran's father |
| Princess Lulu
|루루공주 |Chairman Go Deok-soo |
| HDTV Literature: "The Post Horse Curse"
|역마 | |
| My Sweetheart, My Darling
|어여쁜 당신 |Jang Yoon-jae |
| rowspan="5" |2004
|불멸의 이순신 |
| Toji, the Land
|토지 |Teacher Kim |
| The Age of Heroes
|영웅시대 |Chun Tae-san's grandfather |
| Hot Tropical Nights in December
|12월의 열대야 |Dr. Min Tae-joon |
| Sweet 18
|낭랑18세 |Kwon Jin-sa |
| rowspan="4" |2003
|Escape from Unemployment |백수탈출 |Hwang Choon-beom |
| A Problem at My Younger Brother's House
|흥부네 박터졌네 |Park Man-bo |
| Pearl Necklace
|진주 목걸이 |Hwang Man-kap |
| My Fair Lady
|요조숙녀 |President |
| rowspan="6" |2002
| Do You Know The Country? | 너희가 나라를 아느냐 | Choi Ik-hyun |
| Jang Hui-bin
| 장희빈 |
| Hyun-jung, I Love You
|현정아 사랑해 |Kim Jae-hwa |
| Rustic Period
|야인시대 |Won Do-in |
| Who's My Love?
|내사랑 누굴까 |Kim Deok-bae |
| Present
|선물 | |
| rowspan="5" |2001
|상도 (商道) |Park Joo-myung |
| Way of Living: Couple
|이 부부가 사는 법 |Ki In-jong |
| Guardian Angel
|수호천사 |Chairman Kang Doo-shik |
| Orient Theater
|동양극장 (東洋劇場) |Wakejima |
| Still Love
|그래도 사랑해 |Park Hoe-jang |
| rowspan="4" |2000
|The Aspen Tree |은사시나무 | |
| Ahjumma
|아줌마 |Jang Ki-baek |
| I Want to Keep Seeing You
|자꾸만 보고 싶네 |Kim Eui-kyung |
| Mr. Duke
|신귀공자 |President Jang |
| rowspan="3" |1999
|허준 |Yoo Ui-tae |
| The Last War
|마지막 전쟁 |Han Ji-soo's father |
| Someone's House
|사람의 집 |Shim (Joo-sa) |
| rowspan="5" |1998
|The Solid Man |단단한 놈 |National Treasure |
| I Don't Know Anything But Love
|사랑밖엔 난 몰라 | |
| Panther of Kilimanjaro
|킬리만자로의 표범 |Professor Noh |
| The Era of the Three Kims
|삼김시대 |
| See and See Again
|보고 또 보고 |Principal Park |
| rowspan="5" |1997
| Burnt Railing |불 붙은 난간 |Jung Joon |
| Only You
|당신 뿐인데 |Heo Jang-gap |
| Greed
|욕망 |Song Il-young |
| Palace of Dreams
|꿈의 궁전 |Ji Won-ho |
| Because I Love You
|사랑하니까 | |
| rowspan="2" |1996
|Sometimes Like Strangers |때로는 타인처럼 |Chairman Park |
| Wonji-dong Blues
|원지동 블루스 |Choi Ik-sam |
| rowspan="2" |1995
|Korea Gate |코리아게이트 |
| Men of the Bath House
|목욕탕집 남자들 |Kim Bok-dong |
| 1994
|Ambition |야망 |Woo Yeok-gwan |
| rowspan="2" |1993
|The 3rd Republic |제3공화국 |
| How's Your Husband?
|댁의 남편은 어떠십니까? | |
| rowspan="3" |1991
|Kyoto at 25 |교토 25시 |Chairman Ishida |
| What is Love
|사랑이 뭐길래 |Lee Byung-ho |
| The Wonders of Eastern Medicine
|동의보감 |Yoo Ui-tae |
| rowspan="2" |1990
| Pacheonmu |파천무 |
| Betrayal of the Rose
|배반의 장미 |Kim Won-il |
| rowspan="3" |1989
|Mt. Jiri |지리산 | |
| God's Will
|천명 | |
| The 2nd Republic
|제2공화국 |
| 1987
| Private Song | 사모곡 | |
| 1986
| Your Portrait |그대의 초상 | |
| rowspan="2" |1985
| Silver Rapids | 은빛 여울 | |
| An Ardent Desire
|열망 |Samchonri Industrial founder |
| rowspan="3" |1984
| My Love is Still Not Over |내 사랑 아직도 끝나지 않았네 | |
| Trees Planted in Winter
|겨울에 심은 나무 |expert on liberation theology |
| TV's Tale of Chunhyang
|TV 춘향전 | |
| 1983
| Mom is Busy |엄마는 바빠요 | |
| rowspan="3" |1982
| Mountains and Rivers |산하 | |
| Ordinary People
|보통 사람들 | |
| Crisis
|풍운 |
| rowspan="4" |1981
| A Blessing To Us |우리에게 축복의 기도를 | |
| Campfire
|모닥불 | |
| The 1st Republic
|제1공화국 |
| Two Women
|두 여인 | |
| 1980
| Arong and Darong |아롱이 다롱이 | |
| rowspan="2" |1978
| I Miss |그리워 |retired principal |
| Until I Get Married
|시집갈때까지는 | |
| 1977
| It Is |그건 그려 | |
| 1976
| Cheon Yeo-hwa |천여화 | |
| 1975
| Mist |안개 | |
| rowspan="2" |1974
| The Men |사나이들 | |
| Phosphorus
|인목대비 |
| rowspan="3" |1973
| A Road |길 |University of Tokyo student Shin Sang-gu |
| A Second Marriage
|재혼 | |
| Softening
|연화 |Min dae-gam |
| 1972
| Official Contact Line |관부연락선 |Yoo Tae-rim |
| rowspan="5" |1970
| Lone Path |고독한 길 | |
| Tokyo International Student
|동경유학생 | |
| Daughter
|딸 | |
| Madam
|아씨 | |
| Ajumma
|아줌마 |Jang-gu's uncle |
| rowspan="2" |1966
|Live As I Please |내 멋에 산다 | |
| Mister Bear
|미스터 곰 | |
| 1964
| It's Snowing | 눈은 나리는데 | |
| 1962
| I Want to be a Human, Too | 나도 인간이 되련다 | |
=Film=
| class="wikitable sortable" style="clear:none; font-size:100%; padding:0 auto; width:100%; margin:auto"
|+List of Film(s) | ||||
| rowspan="2" scope="col" | Year
! colspan="2" scope="col" | Title ! rowspan="2" scope="col" | Role ! rowspan="2" scope="col" | Director | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| English
! Korean | ||||
| 2024
| 대가족 | The Great Monk{{cite news|script-title=ko:'강제추행' 오영수 대신한 '건강악화' 이순재...'대가족' 감독은 "전화위복"[종합]|trans-title=Lee Soon-jae, who is suffering from 'deteriorating health', takes the place of Oh Young-soo, who 'forced sexual assault'... 'Big Family' director says, "Recovery of phone call" [Comprehensive]|url=https://news.nate.com/view/20241122n20684|work=Nate|language=ko|last=Bae|first=Hyo-joo|date=November 22, 2024|access-date=December 15, 2024|archive-date=December 15, 2024|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20241215043227/https://news.nate.com/view/20241122n20684|url-status=live}} | ||||
| 2022
| 안녕하세요 | In-su{{cite web|url=https://entertain.naver.com/now/read?oid=076&aid=0003851016|author=Jo Ji-young|script-title=ko:[공식] 김환희X유선X이순재 주연 '안녕하세요' 5월 개봉 확정|trans-title=[Official] 'Hello' starring Kim Hwan-hee X Yoo Seon X Lee Soon-jae confirmed for release in May|publisher=Sports Chosun|via=Naver|date=April 8, 2022|access-date=April 8, 2022|language=ko|archive-date=November 12, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201112020835/https://entertain.naver.com/now/read?oid=076&aid=0003851016|url-status=live}} | Cha Bong-joo | ||||
| 2020 | Mr. Zoo: The Missing VIP | 미스터 주: 사라진 VIP | Hamster (voice) | Kim Tae-yoon |
| 2019
|Romang | 로망 |Jo Nam-bong |Lee Chang-geun | ||||
| 2018
|Stand By Me | 덕구 |Grandfather |Bang Soo-in | ||||
| rowspan="2" |2011
|로맨틱 헤븐 |old man (God) | ||||
| Late Blossom
|그대를 사랑합니다 |Kim Man-seok | ||||
| rowspan="2" |2009
|굿 모닝 프레지던트 |Kim Jeong-ho | ||||
| Up
|업 | ||||
| rowspan="2" |2006
|Family Matters |모두들, 괜찮아요? |Won-jo |Nam Seon-ho | ||||
| Forbidden Quest
|음란서생 |Kim Yoon-seo's father | ||||
| 2005
|파랑주의보 |Kim Man-geum |Jeon Yoon-soo | ||||
| 1989
|Honeymoon | 밀월 | | ||||
| rowspan="2" |1987
|Forget-me-nots | 물망초 | |Lee Mi-rye | ||||
| 0.917 (Subconscious)
|영점구일칠 (0.917) | |Lee Dong-hui | ||||
| 1986
|Wet Grass and Wet Leaves | 젖은 풀 젖은 잎 | |Im Joung-soo | ||||
| rowspan="3" |1984
|I Want to Go | 가고파 | |Kwak Jeong-hwan | ||||
| Road to Peace
| 화평의 길 | |Kang Dae-jin | ||||
| Holy Mission
| | |Choe In-hyeon | ||||
| rowspan="2" |1983
|The Foolish Woman | 바보스러운 여자 | |Ha Hwe-ryong | ||||
| Love and Farewell
| 사랑 그리고 이별 | | ||||
| 1982
|The Blues of Jong-ro | 종로 부루스 | |Kim Hyo-cheon | ||||
| rowspan="2" |1981
|Forgive Me Once Again Despite Hatred '80' | 미워도 다시한번 80 제2부 | | ||||
| Goodbye Daddy '81
| 아빠안녕 | | ||||
| rowspan="6" |1980
| 사람의 아들 | | ||||
| Mu Hyoup Gum Pung
| 무협검풍 | | ||||
| The Man to be Forgotten
| 잊어야 할 그사람 | |Park Ho-tae | ||||
| Love Me Once Again Despite Hatred '80
| 미워도 다시한번 '80 | | ||||
| Magnificent Experience
| 화려한 경험 | |Lee Sang-gu | ||||
| Unconditional Love
| 아낌없이 바쳤는데 | |Park Ho-tae | ||||
| rowspan="7" |1979
|Admiration of Nights | 밤의 찬가 | |Kim Ho-sun | ||||
| Pyro-Sonata
| 광염소나타 | |Go Yeong-nam | ||||
| Eul-hwa
| 을화 | | ||||
| Eternal Inheritance
| 영원한 유산 | |Choe In-hyeon | ||||
| The Terms of Love
| 사랑의 조건 | | ||||
| Miss Oh's Apartment (Sequel)
| O양의 아파트(속) | | ||||
| A Letter from Heaven
| 하늘나라에서 온 편지 | |Kim Jun-sik | ||||
| rowspan="7" |1978
|Miss Oh's Apartment | O양의 아파트 | | ||||
| Red Gate of Tragedy
| 비련의 홍살문 | | ||||
| Woman in the Fog
|안개속의 여인 | |Choe In-hyeon | ||||
| Grave Wood
| 비목 | |Go Yeong-nam | ||||
| Sadness Under the Sky
| 하늘아래 슬픔이 | |Lee Yeong-woo | ||||
| With My Older Brother and Sister
| 오빠하고 누나하고 | |Lee Sang-eon | ||||
| King Sejong the Great
| 세종대왕 | |Choe In-hyeon | ||||
| rowspan="5" |1977
|The Old Manor |고가 | |Cho Moon-jin | ||||
| Towards the High Place
|저 높은 곳을 향하여 | |Im Won-sik | ||||
| Little Namgung Dong-ja
| 남궁동자 | |Kim Su-hyeong | ||||
| Arirang-A
| 아리랑아 | |Jeong In-yeob | ||||
| Two Decades as a Woman Journalist
|여기자 20년 | | ||||
| rowspan="5" |1976
|I Really Have a Dream | 정말 꿈이 있다구 | |Mun Yeo-song | ||||
| Concentration of Attention
|집념 |Choe In-hyeon | ||||
| Mother
|어머니 | |Im Won-sik | ||||
| Season of Love
|사랑의 계절 | |Lee Seong-min | ||||
| Even I Don't Know My Mind
|내마음 나도 몰라 | |Im Won-sik | ||||
| rowspan="10" |1975
|You Become a Star, Too | 너 또한 별이 되어 | | ||||
| Wasteland
| 황토 | | ||||
| Yeong-ja's Heydays
| 영자의 전성시대 | |Kim Ho-sun | ||||
| Glory in Ten's
| 10대의 영광 | |Go Yeong-nam | ||||
| Outing in 10 Years
| 십년만의 외출 | |Seol Bong | ||||
| End of an Affair
|애종 | | ||||
| Story of the Youth
| 청춘극장 | | ||||
| Escape
|탈출 | |Go Yeong-nam | ||||
| Chang-su's Heydays
| 창수의 전성시대 | |Kim Sa-gyeom | ||||
| A Northwest Youth
| 서북청년 | |Go Yeong-nam | ||||
| rowspan="14" |1974
|The Instinct |본능 | | ||||
| A True Story of Kim Du-han
| 실록 김두한 | |Kim Hyo-cheon | ||||
| Pupils of the Evil
| 악마의 제자들 | |Lee Seong-gu | ||||
| The Land{{cite web|last=Lee|first=Hyo-won|title=Park Kyung-ni's Works Translated Onscreen|url=https://www.koreatimes.co.kr/www/news/culture/2013/07/142_23644.html|work=The Korea Times|access-date=2013-07-04|date=5 May 2008|archive-date=2016-03-03|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160303233257/http://www.koreatimes.co.kr/www/news/culture/2013/07/142_23644.html|url-status=live}}
|토지 | | ||||
| You and I, and Another
|너와 나 그리고 또 하나 | |Go Yeong-nam | ||||
| Special Investigation Bureau: The Life of Miss Kim Su-im
| 특별수사본부 김수임의 일생 | |Lee Won-se | ||||
| A Blind Swordsman
|죽장검 | |Shin Young-il | ||||
| Reminiscences
| 회상 | |Go Yeong-nam | ||||
| A Horrible Breath
| 공포의 숨소리 | |Park Tae-won | ||||
| Lee Jung-seob, a Painter
|이중섭 | |Kwak Jeong-hwan | ||||
| An Inmate
| 동거인 | |Lee Gyeong-tae | ||||
| Dangerous Relations
| 위험한 사이 | |Lee Seong-gu | ||||
| Yeonhwa 2
|연화(속) | | ||||
| Yeonhwa
|연화 | | ||||
| rowspan="2" |1973
|Testimony |증언 | | ||||
| Special Investigation Bureau: Bae Tae-ok Case
|특별수사본부 배태옥 사건 | |Lee Won-se | ||||
| rowspan="4" |1972
|A Judge's Wife | 판사부인 | |Kang Dae-sun | ||||
| A Woman in a Mud Flat
|갯벌속의 여자 | |Go Yeong-nam | ||||
| Girls' High School Days
| 여고시절 | |Kang Dae-sun | ||||
| Two Sons Crying for Their Mother's Love
| 모정에 우는 두아들 | |Lee Il-su | ||||
| rowspan="6" |1971
|My Older Brother (sequel) | 형(속) | | ||||
| Bun-rye's Story
| 분례기 | | ||||
| I Want to Be in Your Arms Again
| 그대 가슴에 다시한번 | |Kim Sa-gyeom | ||||
| The First Love
| 첫정 | |Jang Yeong-guk | ||||
| A Family of Brother and Sister
| 남매는 단둘이다 | |Moon Sang-hun | ||||
| Darling, I'm Sorry
| 아내여 미안하다 | |Ahn Hyun-chul | ||||
| rowspan="12" |1970
|Eight Daughters-in-law | 팔도며느리 | |Shim Wu-seob | ||||
| A Woman's Battleground
|여인전장 | |Shim Wu-seob | ||||
| Underground Women's College
| 지하여자대학 | | ||||
| When We Have Hatred
| 당신이 미워질때 | |Kang Dae-jin | ||||
| Father-in-law
|시아버지 | |Ha Han-soo | ||||
| If There Were No Parting Again
| 이별없이 살았으면 | |Nam Sang-jin | ||||
| My Life in Your Heart
| 내 목숨 당신 품에 | |Jeong Seong-mun | ||||
| Turtle
| 거북이 | |Lee Seong-gu | ||||
| Please Turn Off the Light
| 방의 불을 꺼주오 | |Lee Hyung-pyo | ||||
| Twisted Fate of a Man
|한많은 남아일생 | |Kim Hyo-cheon | ||||
| Great King Sejo
| 세조대왕 | |Lee Kyu-woong | ||||
| House of a Stranger
| 타인의 집 | |Lee Sang-eon | ||||
| rowspan="27" |1969
|Evil Person |마인 | |Im Won-sik | ||||
| Regret
|원 | |Nam Tae-gwon | ||||
| Forget-me-not
| 물망초 | |Choi Hoon | ||||
| Invisible Man
| 투명인간 | |Lee Kyu-woong | ||||
| Wound
|상처 | | ||||
| Wild Girl
| 야성녀 | |Lee Kyu-woong | ||||
| Lost Love
| 어느 하늘아래서 | | ||||
| Sahwa Mountain
|사화산 | |Go Yeong-nam | ||||
| Temporary Government in Shanghai
|상해 임시정부(와 김구선생) | |Jo Keung-ha | ||||
| Flower Sandals
| 꽃버선 | |Jo Keung-ha | ||||
| For Once in a Lifetime
| 내 생애에 단한번 | |Choe In-hyeon | ||||
| A Returned Singer
| 돌아온 선창 | |Chun Jo-myoung | ||||
| Cruel Revenge
| 피도 눈물도 없다 | |Kim Gang-yun | ||||
| Wind
|바람 | |Go Yeong-nam | ||||
| 7 People in the Cellar
|지하실의 7인 | |Lee Seong-gu | ||||
| Devoting the Youth
| 청춘을 다바쳐 | | ||||
| Lady Hong
| 미녀홍낭자 | | ||||
| Brother
|형 | |Lee Sang-eon | ||||
| Chunwon Lee Gwang-su
|춘원 이광수 |Choe In-hyeon | ||||
| First Night
| 첫날밤 갑자기 | |Kim Hyo-cheon | ||||
| Yun Sim-deok
| 윤심덕 | |Ahn Hyun-chul | ||||
| Jang Nok-su
| 요화 장록수 | |Lee Kyu-woong | ||||
| The Saint and the Witch
|성녀와 마녀 | |Na Han-bong | ||||
| Escaping Shanghai
| 상해탈출 | | ||||
| Starting Point
|시발점 | | ||||
| Snowy Night
| 눈나리는 밤 | |Ha Han-soo | ||||
| Sky and Star
| 하늘을 보고 별을 따고 | |Jo Keung-ha | ||||
| rowspan="25" |1968
|Quick Ladder of Success |출세가도 | |Park Jong-ho | ||||
| Autumn Love
| 추정 | |Yu Yeol | ||||
| Labyrinth
|미로 | | ||||
| Daughter
| 딸 | |Kim Su-dong | ||||
| Lady in Dream
| 몽녀 | | ||||
| Snow Lady
|설녀 | |Kim Ki | ||||
| Secret Order
| 밀명 | |Im Won-sik | ||||
| Trees Stand on a Slope
|나무들 비탈에 서다 | | ||||
| Cloud
|구름 | | ||||
| Ghost Story
| 괴담 | |Chun Jo-myoung | ||||
| Salt Pond
| 수전지대 | | ||||
| I Won't Hate You
|미워하지 않겠다 | |Lee Hyung-pyo | ||||
| The Sister's Diary
| 언니의 일기 | |Choe In-hyeon | ||||
| Love
|사랑 | |Kang Dae-jin | ||||
| Remarriage
| 재혼 | |Go Yeong-nam | ||||
| A Police Note
| 형사수첩 | |Park Jong-ho | ||||
| A Solar Eclipse
|일식 | |Lee Seong-gu | ||||
| The Eternal Motherhood
| | |Jo Keung-ha | ||||
| Pure Love
|순정산하 | |Cho Woong-dae | ||||
| Sun-deok
|순덕이 | |Choe In-hyeon | ||||
| Madame Anemone
| 아네모네 마담 | | ||||
| Trumpet in Night Sky
| 밤하늘의 트럼펫 | |Yang Myeong-sik | ||||
| Romance Mama
| 로맨스마마 | |Choe In-hyeon | ||||
| A Great Hero, Kim Seon-dal
| 천하호걸 김선달 | |Im Won-jik | ||||
| Where is He Now
|지금 그 사람은 | |Choi Hoon | ||||
| rowspan="24" |1967
|Guests Who Arrived on the Last Train |막차로 온 손님들 | | ||||
| A King's Command
|어명 | |Gang Jo-won | ||||
| The Freezing Point
|빙점 | | ||||
| Madam of Myeong-wol Kwan
|명월관 아씨 | |Park Jong-ho | ||||
| Nostalgia
| 망향천리 | | ||||
| Dongsimcho
|동심초 | |Lee Sang-eon | ||||
| I Hate Men
| 남자는 싫어 | |An Myoun-hee | ||||
| A Traveling King
| 나그네 임금 | |Choe In-hyeon | ||||
| Whistle
|기적 | | ||||
| Is Wild Apricot an Apricot?
|개살구도 살구냐 | |Kim Cheol | ||||
| The Hateful King
| 상감마마 미워요 | |Choe In-hyeon | ||||
| Bobbed Hair
| 단발머리 | |Kim Su-dong | ||||
| Yongary, Monster From The Deep
| 대괴수 용가리 | | ||||
| When Bucketwheat Flowers Blossom
| 메밀꽃 필 무렵 | |Lee Seong-gu | ||||
| A Regret
|한 | | ||||
| The White Crow
|하얀 까마귀 | | ||||
| A Deviation
|탈선 | |Go Yeong-nam | ||||
| Others
|타인들 | | ||||
| A Virtuous Woman
|칠부열녀 | |Choe In-hyeon | ||||
| Lingering Attachment
|미련 | |Go Yeong-man | ||||
| The Queen Moonjeong
|문정왕후 | |Rha Bong-han | ||||
| A Child Who Was Born in the Year of Liberation
| 해방동이 | |Park Sang-ho | ||||
| Traces
|이조잔영 | | ||||
| A Misty Grassland
|안개낀 초원 | |Go Yeong-nam | ||||
| rowspan="5" |1966
|Gunsmoke |초연 | | ||||
| The Dead and the Alive
|죽은 자와 산 자 | |Lee Kang-cheon | ||||
| I Will Be a King for the Day
|오늘은 왕 | | ||||
| The Life of Na Woon-gyu
|나운규 일생 | | ||||
| Terminal
|종점 | |
=Variety shows=
Theater
Accolades
{{BLP sources section|date=January 2025}}
=Awards and nominations=
| class="wikitable sortable plainrowheaders" style="clear:none; font-size:100%; padding:0 auto; width:100%; margin:auto"
|+Awards and nominations ! scope="col" | Award ! scope="col" | Year ! scope="col" | Category ! scope="col" | Recipient/ ! scope="col" | Result ! scope="col" class="unsortable" | {{abbr|Ref.|Reference}} |
| scope="row" | APAN Star Awards
|2012 | Achievement Award | High Kick Through the Roof, | {{won}} | |
|---|
| scope="row" rowspan="7" |Baeksang Arts Awards
| 1966 | Best Theater Actor | {{won}} | |
| 1970
| rowspan="4" | Favorite Reader Award for Theater | rowspan="4" | Lee Soon-jae | {{won}} | |
| 1971
| {{won}} | |
| 1972
| {{won}} | |
| 1974
| {{won}} | |
| 1977
| Best Film Actor | Concentration of Attention | {{won}} | |
| 2009
| Achievement Award, TV category | rowspan="2" | Lee Soon-jae | {{won}} | |
| scope="row" | Beautiful Artist Awards (Shin Young-kyun Arts and Culture Foundation) | 2023 | Theatre Artist Award | {{won}} | style="text-align:center" |{{cite web|url=https://entertain.naver.com/read?oid=003&aid=0012166587|last=Lee|first=Jae-hoon|script-title=ko:이정재·이순재·조인성, '제13회 아름다운예술인상' 수상|trans-title=Lee Jung-jae, Lee Soon-jae, Jo In-sung, 'The 13th Beautiful Artist Award|work=Newsis|via=Naver|date=October 24, 2023|access-date=November 14, 2023|language=ko|archive-date=November 14, 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231114063112/https://entertain.naver.com/read?oid=003&aid=0012166587|url-status=live}} |
| scope="row" | Buil Film Awards
| 1972 | Best Actor | {{won}} | |
| scope="row" | China Golden Rooster and Hundred Flowers Film Festival
|2011 | Best Actor, International Film category | rowspan="2" | Late Blossom | {{won}} | |
| scope="row" | Geumgye Baekhwa Film Festival Best Actor Award
|2011 |Best Actor Award | {{won}} | |
| scope="row" | Golden Cinematography Film Festival hosted by Korean Cinematography Association
|2019 |Acting Achievement Award |Deokgu |{{won}} | |
| scope="row" rowspan="4" |Interpark {{ill|Golden Ticket Awards (South Korean awards)|ko|골든티켓어워즈|lt=Golden Ticket Awards}}{{efn|The Golden Ticket Awards ({{Korean|hangul=골든티켓어워즈|labels=no}}) is an awards ceremony that selects works and people who have shown the best ticket power by performance genre during the year. Since 2005, Interpark has held an awards ceremony by adding up ticket sales, ranking scores, and online voting for each year at the end of the year. |group=note}}
| 2015 | Best Theater Actor | Love Poem | {{won}} | |
| 2019–2020
|Best Theater Actor |Longevity Association, Grandpa Henry and I, I Love You |{{won}} | |
| 2021–2022
|Best Theater Actor |King Lear |{{won}} | |
| 2022–2023
|Best Theater Actor |Art, Longevity Association |{{nom}} |
| scope="row" rowspan="6" | KBS Drama Awards
| 1984 | Excellence Award | 겨울에 심은 나무 | {{won}} | |
| rowspan="5" | 2024
| Grand Prize (Daesang) | rowspan="5" | Dog Knows Everything | {{won}} | style="text-align:center;" rowspan="2" | {{cite web |url=https://m.entertain.naver.com/article/437/0000426189 |script-title=ko:'개소리' 이순재, 'KBS 연기대상' 역대 최고령 눈물의 대상[종합] |trans-title=Lee Soon-jae, the oldest tearful grand prize in history at the 'KBS Acting Awards [Comprehensive] |author=Hwang Hwang Young |work=JTBC |publisher=Naver |date=January 11, 2025 |access-date=January 11, 2025 |language=ko |archive-date=January 12, 2025 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250112041104/https://m.entertain.naver.com/article/437/0000426189 |url-status=live }} |
| Best Couple Award {{small|(with Yeonwoo and Ari)}}
| {{won}} |
| Top Excellence Award, Actor
| {{nom}} | style="text-align:center;" rowspan="3" | {{Cite web|url=https://program.kbs.co.kr/2tv/drama/2024dramaawards/pc/board.html?smenu=652d74§ion_id=9030|language=ko|publisher=KBS|script-title=ko:2024 KBS 연기대상 인기상 투표|trans-title=2024 KBS Drama Awards Popularity Award Voting|access-date=December 25, 2024|archive-url=https://archive.today/20241225093424/https://program.kbs.co.kr/2tv/drama/2024dramaawards/pc/board.html?smenu=652d74§ion_id=9030|archive-date=December 25, 2024|url-status=live}}{{cite web |url=https://n.news.naver.com/article/056/0011864669?sid=103 |title='2024 KBS 연기대상' 대상 후보 공개...'개소리' 이순재 등 6명 |trans-title='2024 KBS Drama Awards' Grand Prize Candidates Revealed... 6 People Including 'Doggy Talk' Lee Soon-jae |author=Im Jae-seong |work=Korean Broadcasting System |publisher=Naver |date=December 26, 2024 |access-date=December 26, 2024 |language=ko |archive-date=December 26, 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20241226175323/https://n.news.naver.com/article/056/0011864669?sid=103 |url-status=live }} |
| Excellence Award, Actor in a Miniseries
| {{nom}} |
| Popularity Award, Actor
| {{nom}} |
| scope="row" | Korea Best Star Awards
| 2018 | Best Actor | Stand By Me | {{won}} | style="text-align:center;" | {{cite web|url=https://entertain.naver.com/read?oid=109&aid=0003919164|script-title=ko:이순재·김윤석·장동건·수애, 베스트 주연상 수상..12일 시상식 [공식입장]|date=December 12, 2018|website=OSEN|language=ko|access-date=December 10, 2018|archive-date=April 24, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210424094117/https://entertain.naver.com/read?oid=109&aid=0003919164|url-status=live}} |
| scope="row" | Korea Broadcasting Awards
| 2007 | Excellence Award in TV | rowspan="2" | Unstoppable High Kick! | {{won}} | |
| scope="row" | Korea Drama Awards
|2007 | Achievement Award | {{won}} | |
| scope="row" | Korea Green Foundation
|2009 | People Who Brightened Our World | {{won}} | |
| scope="row" | Korea PD Awards
| 2025 | Performer Award – Actor | {{won}} | style="text-align:center" |{{cite news|script-title=ko:'90세' 이순재, 거동 불편해 시상식 불참 "응원 필요해"|url=https://m.entertain.naver.com/article/076/0004266709|work=Sports Chosun|via=Naver|last=Jung|first=Yoo-na|date=April 16, 2025|access-date=April 16, 2025|language=ko}} |
| scope="row" | Korea Visual Arts Awards
| 2007 | Photogenic Award | {{won}} | |
| scope="row" | Korean CEO Grand Prix
| 2011 | Special Award, Cultural CEO category | rowspan="2" | Lee Soon-jae | {{won}} | |
| scope="row" rowspan="7" |Korean Drama and Film Arts Awards
|1969 |Drama Division's Favorite Readers' Award |{{won}} | style="text-align:center;" rowspan="7" |{{Cite web |script-title=ko:이순재 |url=http://archive.ntck.or.kr/front/view/group/G002247 |access-date=July 22, 2023 |website=archive.ntck.or.kr |archive-date=July 22, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230722024147/http://archive.ntck.or.kr/front/view/group/G002247 |url-status=live }} |
| 1966
|Best Acting Award in Theater |Look Homeward, Angel | {{won}} |
| 1970
| rowspan="4" |Favorite Readers' Award in theatre | rowspan="4" | Lee Soon-jae | {{won}} |
| 1971
| {{won}} |
| 1972
| {{won}} |
| 1974
| {{won}} |
| 1977
| Best Actor Award | Obsession | {{won}} |
| scope="row" rowspan="2" |MBC Drama Awards
| 2008 | PD Award | {{won}} | |
| 2007
| Golden Acting Award, Actor in a Historical Drama | {{won}} | |
| scope="row" rowspan="2" |MBC Entertainment Awards
| 2008 | Grand Prize/Daesang | {{won}} | |
| 2009
| Achievement Award | {{won}} |
| scope="row" | MBC Hall of Fame
| 2002 | Hall of Fame | Lee Soon-jae | {{won}} | |
| scope="row" | Mnet 20's Choice Awards
|2007 | Best Casting | {{won}} | |
| scope="row" | New Film Arts Film Festival Middle hosted by Director Shin Sang-ok's Commemorative Business Association
|2019 |Actor Award |Romance |{{won}} | |
| scope="row" | Person Award
| 2007 | Popular Artist Award | Lee Soon-jae | {{won}} | |
| scope="row" rowspan="2" |SBS Drama Awards
| 2000 | Achievement Award |Silver Aspen | {{won}} | |
| 2004
| Excellence Award, Actor in a Serial Drama | {{won}} | |
| scope="row" | Scene Stealer Festival
|2023 |Lifetime Achievement Award | rowspan="2" | Lee Soon-jae |{{won}} |style="text-align:center;" | {{Cite web |script-title=ko:이순재, '신스틸러 페스티벌' 공로상...오나라·류현경, 본상 수상 |url=https://www.dispatch.co.kr/2248402 |date=2023-05-03 |access-date=2023-05-09 |website=Dispatch|language=ko|archive-date=2023-05-13 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230513211553/https://www.dispatch.co.kr/2248402 |url-status=live }} |
| scope="row" | Seoul Art & Culture Awards
| 2010 | Grand Prize/Daesang, Cultural Artist category | {{won}} | |
| scope="row" rowspan="2" |TBC Drama Awards
| 1974 | Grand Prize/Daesang | 연화, 사나이들 | {{won}} | |
| 1979
| Distinguished Service Award |Lee Soon-jae | {{won}} | |
= State honors =
= Listicles =
Notes
{{NoteFoot}}
{{notelist}}
References
{{reflist|2}}
External links
- {{kmdb person|00004082}}
- {{IMDb name|2299292}}
- {{HanCinema person}}
{{Baeksang Arts Award Best Actor Theatre}}
{{Paeksang Arts Award Best Actor Film}}
{{authority control}}
{{DEFAULTSORT:Lee, Soon-jae}}
Category:South Korean male television actors
Category:South Korean male film actors
Category:South Korean male stage actors
Category:Academic staff of Sejong University
Category:Seoul National University alumni
Category:Seoul High School alumni
Category:21st-century South Korean male actors
Category:20th-century South Korean male actors
Category:Academic staff of Gachon University