As actor Lee Soon Jae passed away on November 25, the South Korean government has posthumously awarded him the Gold Crown Order of Cultural Merit.
According to News1, the government recognized Lee Soon Jae’s contributions to the development of popular culture and the enhancement of cultural enjoyment for the public over more than half a century, and on the same day conferred upon him the Gold Crown Order of Cultural Merit (First Class). The Gold Crown distinction is the highest grade within the Order of Cultural Merit and is presented to individuals whose contributions to cultural and artistic development are particularly significant.
Lee Soon Jae previously received the Silver Crown Order of Cultural Merit at the 2018 Korea Popular Culture and Arts Awards. It has been three years since an actor was elevated to the Gold Crown, following Youn Yuh Jung in 2021 and Lee Jung Jae in 2022.
Debuting in 1956 with the play 'Beyond the Horizon,' Lee Soon Jae built a storied career spanning more than half a century and remained active as the industry’s oldest working actor. He appeared in around 140 works, earning love across generations for his passion, sincerity, and versatility—moving fluidly between dramas, theater, variety shows, and sitcoms.
The government determined that Lee Soon Jae’s achievements left a profound impact on both the arts community and the public. On the 25th, Minister of Culture, Sports and Tourism Choi Hwi Young presented the Gold Crown Order of Cultural Merit to the bereaved family on behalf of the state in honor of the late actor.
The Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism also noted that Lee Soon Jae’s legacy—both his body of work and the path he walked—will be remembered by the nation for years to come.
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