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Beloved veteran actor Lee Quickly-jae, who remained lively on stage and display screen till his remaining days, died on Tuesday. He was 91.
In keeping with his household, Lee died early Tuesday morning. The actor had been battling well being points since late final 12 months, which compelled him to step down from a theater manufacturing to deal with restoration.
Regardless of hopes for a return expressed by his company in August, his well being continued to deteriorate, finally bringing an finish to a unprecedented profession that spanned seven a long time.
Born in Hoeryong, North Hamgyong Province, now in North Korea, in November 1934, Lee moved to Seoul on the age of 4. He graduated from the celebrated Seoul Nationwide College with a level in philosophy, however discovered his ardour in performing, making his stage debut in 1956 with the play “Past the Horizon” throughout his school years.
Having began his profession with HLKZ-TV, Korea’s first tv station, Lee was chosen as a part of KBS’ first-class of actor recruits in 1960. He was a residing historical past of Korean broadcasting. All through his 70-year profession, he transcended genres, transferring fluidly between theater, movie and tv dramas.
Lee Quickly-jae, hoisted by a supporter and elevating his arms in victory, a candidate for the then-ruling Democratic Liberal Get together, is congratulated after being elected to the 14th Nationwide Meeting on this 1992 file picture. Yonhap
From dignified patriarch to comedic icon
For a lot of his early profession, Lee was identified for his authoritative and mental roles. He gained the Greatest Actor award on the Buil Movie Awards for “Bun-Rye’s Story” (1971) and have become famend by means of his roles in historic dramas equivalent to “The Legendary Physician Hur Jun” (1999), “The Service provider” (2001) and “Lee San, Wind of the Palace” (2007).
He turned a family title by means of the exceptional success of the weekend drama “What on Earth is Love” (1991). The drama recorded an all-time excessive viewership score of 65 p.c, with Lee taking part in a strict and conventional father. He continued this picture in widespread sequence like “Males of the Tub Home” (1995-96).
Nevertheless, what made Lee really distinctive was his refusal to stay solely to conventional and severe roles. In his 70s, he tried a radical transformation that gained over the youthful technology.
Within the hit sitcom “Excessive Kick!” (2006-07) and its sequel “Excessive Kick by means of the Roof” (2009-10), Lee shed his heavy picture to play a comical grandfather. He earned the nickname “Yadong Quickly-jae” (Porn Quickly-jae) for a well-known scene the place his character is caught watching grownup movies. Proving that he was unafraid to destroy his dignified picture for comedy, he turned a popular culture icon adored by youngsters and younger adults.
His reputation with the youth expanded additional with the journey actuality present “Grandpas over Flowers” (2013), produced by Nah Younger-seok. Viewers have been charmed by Lee who all the time walked energetically forward of the group and spoke English and Japanese fluently.
Lee Quickly-jae, left, carrying a child on his again, is seen in a scene from the sitcom “Excessive Kick!” on this 2007 file picture. Korea Instances file
Spirit of endless problem
Lee’s profession additionally included a quick stint in politics. He served as a lawmaker within the 14th Nationwide Meeting from 1992 to 1996. Nevertheless, his true dwelling was all the time the stage.
Even in his 80s and 90s, Lee continued to problem himself. In Korea’s Daehangno theater scene, he starred in performs like “The Pupil and Mr. Henri” alongside younger actors.
His ardour burned brightly till the very finish. Final 12 months, he starred within the KBS TV drama “Canine Is aware of Every little thing,” a efficiency that gained him the Grand Prize on the 2024 KBS Drama Awards. It was the primary time in his 70-year profession that he gained the grand prize as a sole recipient.
“I’ve lived lengthy sufficient to see a day like this,” Lee stated in his acceptance speech final December. “I all the time ready myself, considering “a chance will come sometime,’ and at this time I acquired this lovely and valuable award.”
Lee was set to carry out within the play “Ready for Ready for Godot” late final 12 months however needed to step down as a consequence of his deteriorating well being.
Actor Lee Quickly-jae delivers his acceptance speech after successful the Grand Prize on the 2024 KBS Drama Awards, Dec. 31, 2024. He was the oldest particular person to win the honour. Captured from KBS YouTube
Condolences pour in
President Lee Jae Myung expressed deep condolences Tuesday, calling the actor a “nice star” of Korean arts, noting how he gave “laughter, emotion, consolation and braveness” to all individuals.
“For him, performing was a channel for sharing the tales of our lives with the world and conveying the essence of the human expertise,” President Lee wrote.
“His philosophy of performing, his skilled integrity and his dignity as a real elder served as a mannequin for numerous junior actors and left a robust impression on all of us. The works and legacy he leaves behind will stay a treasured cultural heritage of Korea.”
Colleagues and junior actors alike shared their grief, remembering him as a towering determine whose ardour and generosity left an enduring mark.
Veteran actress Park Jeong-ja, 83, remembered Lee’s unwavering dedication to performing.
“He was somebody who poured his total physique and coronary heart into each function, in any circumstance, giving every little thing he may categorical. I imagine he achieved all of it,” Park stated. She carried out reverse Lee within the 2023 play “Salut D’Amour.”
Bae Jung-nam, who co-starred with the late actor within the KBS comedy sequence “Canines Know Every little thing” in 2024, shared his condolences on Instagram. “Relaxation in Peace, Sir,” he wrote. “It was the best honor of my life for me to work with you within the drama.”
Taeyeon of Women’ Era additionally posted a photograph with Lee and fellow member Yuri, who acted with him within the 2019 play “The Pupil and Mister Henri.”
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