Moon-su Lee, an actor who moved seamlessly between theater, film, and television and left audiences deeply moved, has passed away.
On the 29th, the Korea Theater Actors Association announced Lee's passing and said colleagues and audiences are mourning the loss. He was 77.
Born in Yangpyeong, Gyeonggi Province, Lee worked as a civil servant in his youth to make ends meet, but he never forgot the thrill he felt on a grade-school stage or his longing to act. He eventually enrolled late at the Seoul Institute of the Arts and chose the path of an actor, joining the National Theater Company of Korea in 1989 to begin his full-fledged career on stage.
Lee anchored major productions such as The Crucible, The Problematic Human, Yeonsan, and King Lear, building a solid presence as a core member of the company. Eschewing flashy star power for honest craft, he earned the respect of many juniors as the kind of actor who steadily fortified a production one step at a time.
He also made his mark on the big and small screens. In the film Hello Ghost, his grounded, everyday performance made him a familiar face to the public, and he delivered nuanced turns in a range of titles including Righteous Ties, Guns & Talks, and Going by the Book. He left a strong impression on TV as well with memorable roles in dramas like Signal and Daemul.
Even when it was hard to make a living solely through theater, Lee refused to step away from the stage, saying, "I didn't want to do anything other than act." He was equally devoted to his family. Junior colleagues remember him as a "diligent and dignified actor, a quiet yet unflinchingly resolute senior." In 2010, he received a commendation from the Minister of Culture, Sports and Tourism in recognition of his contributions.
The wake is being held in Room 2 of the Hanyang University Hospital Funeral Hall. The funeral service is scheduled for 8:20 a.m. on Dec. 1, with interment at Eden Memorial Park.