South Korea's entertainment world is witnessing an emotional tribute to one of its most beloved veterans as MBC premieres a special documentary about the late actor Lee Soon-jae. The film, titled 'I Owe You So Much,' reveals never-before-seen moments from the actor's final days and his remarkable seven-decade career.
The Making of a Final Tribute
The documentary was originally planned as a career retrospective with Lee Soon-jae's personal approval earlier this year. However, production faced an unexpected halt when the actor's health began deteriorating rapidly. In a poignant turn of events, filming resumed just three days after his passing on November 25 at the age of 91, transforming the project into a memorial tribute.
Directed by Kim Ho-seong of 'PD Notebook' fame, the documentary chronicles Lee's extraordinary journey across entertainment mediums. The legendary actor accumulated an impressive portfolio of over 100 television dramas, 150 films, and 100 theater productions throughout his 70-year career.
Secret Struggle With Blindness
One of the most heartbreaking revelations concerns Lee Soon-jae's final acting achievement. While filming KBS 2TV's 'Gae Sori,' the actor was dealing with near-total blindness in both eyes, yet he deliberately concealed his condition to continue rehearsing relentlessly.
This dedication resulted in him receiving his first acting grand prize at the 2024 KBS Drama Awards, making him the oldest recipient in the award's history. The documentary exposes these emotional anecdotes that showcase the determination of what colleagues called the "eternal active veteran actor."
Footage from 2024 shows the actor bedridden while battling illness, dressed in a hospital gown but still expressing unwavering hope for a return to the stage. These scenes culminate in what producers describe as his "poignant last wish" for the industry he loved.
Legacy and Honors
Actor Lee Seo-jin provides heartfelt narration for the documentary, even pausing recording sessions to deliver personal messages he felt he "must convey to teacher." The two actors had previously collaborated in the 2007 historical drama 'Yi San,' where they portrayed King Yeongjo and King Jeongjo, and later traveled together through Europe in the variety show 'Grandpas Over Flowers.'
MBC has complemented the documentary with a special online homepage titled 'Works of Eternal Active Actor Lee Soon-jae,' which streams more than 20 of his popular dramas including 'Hur Jun' and the 'High Kick!' series.
Lee Soon-jae's career began with his 1956 theater debut in 'Beyond the Horizon' and Korea's first TV drama 'Blue Horizon.' Among his most iconic roles were the patriarchal father in MBC's 1991 drama 'What is Love' and mentor Yoo Ui-tae in 'Hur Jun' (1999), plus his beloved "Ya-dong Soon-jae" persona from sitcoms.
Following his passing, Lee Soon-jae was posthumously awarded the Gold Crown of Cultural Merit, the highest honor in South Korean arts. This places him alongside previous recipients Youn Yuh-jung (2021) and Lee Jung-jae (2022). His funeral at Asan Medical Center attracted numerous peers who mourned the loss of what they described as the "greatest mentor" in Korean entertainment.
