Veteran Actor Lee Soon-jae, 90, Addresses Health Rumors Amid Absence and Refusal of Visitors

The latest update on legendary actor Lee Soon-jae has been revealed.

At a press conference for the play Waiting for Godot... Waiting held at Yes24 Stage in Daehangno, Jongno-gu, Seoul on the 19th, Park Geun-hyung mentioned Lee Soon-jae, saying, “Lee Soon-jae is currently resting, so he may not have heard this news.”

Lee Soon-jae had to withdraw from last year’s premiere of the play due to health concerns. He also missed the 37th Korean PD Awards ceremony, raising concerns among fans about his well-being.

Park Geun-hyung added, “I tried to visit him several times, but he was reluctant to meet, so I haven’t seen him in person. I’ve only heard updates through others. It doesn’t seem like he’s in the best condition,” drawing renewed attention to Lee Soon-jae’s health.



The play Waiting for Godot... Waiting, opening on September 16, tells the story of understudies “Ester” and “Val” waiting endlessly in a shabby dressing room for their chance to take the stage as Estragon and Vladimir in the classic play Waiting for Godot. The two actors behind the scenes share conversations about art, life, and theater.

Previously, Choi Min-ho, who performed alongside Lee Soon-jae, was also unable to complete all scheduled performances, leaving fans disappointed. This time, Choi Min-ho returns for the new run, hoping to make up for the regrets of the previous season.

At the press conference, Choi Min-ho shared, “Last year, we couldn’t finish the run because of Lee Soon-jae’s health issues. Of course, it would be a lie to say I didn’t feel regret, but his health was our top priority, and we made the decision together after much discussion. From rehearsals to the moment the curtain rose, every moment was meaningful because we were together. Without him, it just didn’t feel right.”



In an interview with Xportsnews this April, Choi Min-ho also revealed, “Lee Soon-jae doesn’t use a mobile phone. I also hear updates about him only through others. I hoped someone would let him know about the play, but I’m not sure if the message got through.”

He continued, “I was very satisfied with my first play and learned so much. Working with Lee Soon-jae was such a privilege that I even felt I should be paying for the experience. He taught me things I could never learn elsewhere, and I was incredibly happy to work with him,” expressing his deep respect.

On this day, Lee Soon-jae’s representatives told Xportsnews, “He has no serious health issues. He just has some difficulty moving due to weakness in his legs.” They firmly denied the rumors of serious health problems.

The representative explained, “He is currently undergoing rehabilitation therapy and has no other health concerns. As an actor, he doesn’t want others to see him in a weakened state, so he has politely declined visits from those wishing to see him. Because of his age, his recovery is slower compared to younger people.”

According to the representative, Lee Soon-jae is preparing for a film appearance and is expected to greet fans again soon.

Photo Credit: Xportsnews, SM Entertainment

This article is a translated version of the original Korean article published by Xportsnews, originally written by Kim Hyunjung. This article was translated from Korean using AI-assisted tools and human review to deliver an accurate and culturally appropriate version for international readers.