The veteran South Korean actor Lee Soon-jae died early on November 25 at the age of 91. Family and close friends surrounded the actor at the time of his death. This marks an end to a decorated career which lasted over 70 years. His work set the stage for what would become contemporary Korean theatre, film and television. The screen veteran was born in 1934 in Hoeryong, North Hamgyong Province. He moved to Seoul at the age of 4. He pursued his studies at Seoul National University. He first stepped into acting through theatre after being inspired by Lauren Olivier's performance in Hamlet.