Actor Lee Soon-jae denies health rumors, undergoing rehab for leg

연합뉴스 / 2025-08-21 14:00:51

▲ This image, provided by IMTV, shows Korean veteran actor Lee Soon-jae. (PHOTO NOT FOR SALE) (Yonhap)

SEOUL, Aug. 21 (Yonhap) -- Veteran actor Lee Soon-jae, 91, denied rumors of deteriorating health, saying he is only experiencing discomfort in his leg and is undergoing rehabilitation.

"Aside from difficulty walking due to leg issues, he is in good health," a source close to Lee told Yonhap News Agency. "He is currently in rehab to strengthen his leg muscles."

The source said Lee plans to consider acting projects once his mobility improves. "If he recovers during the production schedule, he intends to appear in a film currently under discussion. He is also waiting to shoot a documentary once his condition improves," the official explained.

As the oldest active actor in South Korea, Lee had faced speculation about his health since late last year. He canceled a stage performance in October and missed the Korea PD Awards in April.

Concerns grew further after veteran actor Park Geun-hyung, his colleague on the variety show "Grandpas Over Flowers," mentioned Lee’s condition during a press event Monday for the play "Waiting for Godot, Waiting."

"I wanted to visit him several times, but he declined, so I couldn’t go. From what I’ve heard from others, it didn’t sound like a good situation," Park said.