Jung Il Woo broke down in tears, sobbing as he recalled his final promise to his grandfather, Lee Soon Jae.

In the solemn atmosphere of the 2025 KBS Drama Awards, the moment Jung Il Woo choked up about the late artist Lee Soon Jae became the most emotional silence, taking away the tears of millions of viewers.

Gratitude from the student after two decades

On the evening of December 31, the KBS Drama Awards 2025 ceremony took place in Seoul with many emotions. When stepping on the podium to receive the award for the feature film category, actor Jung Il Woo not only attracted attention by his strong comeback after a period of absence, but also by his moving speech to his teacher and screen grandfather – the late artist Lee Soon Jae.

In front of all colleagues and the audience, Jung Il Woo could not hide his emotions: "The words you teach, I will be engraved in my heart to continue to become a better actor." His red eyes and choked voice showed a great loss. For Jung Il Woo, the late artist was not only a senior but also a person who shaped his professional ethics from the early days of co-starring in the legendary sitcom Family Is No. 1 (High Kick!).

The legacy of an artistic monument

The death of Lee Soon Jae on November 25 at the age of 91 is a huge loss for the entertainment industry of Kim Chi. With nearly 70 years of dedication, he is known as the "grandfather of the nation", a symbol of persistent work spirit. Previously, at the 2024 KBS Drama Awards, he set a record as the oldest artist in history to win the noble Daesang Award.

On this year's award night, the organizers spent a solemn time to show a commemorative video, recreating his journey from the theater stage to his lifelong roles. The simple behind-the-scenes images, gentle smile and philosophy of "acting is a non-stop learning journey" of the late artist made the whole auditorium silent out of respect.

The song "My Way" and the proud final greeting

The highlight of the ceremony was the elaborately staged gratitude stage. Musical actor Kai and the crew of the late artist's last film performed the song My Way. The heroic but quiet melody is like a summary of the brilliant life of a legend who has lived fully with passion.

Under the stands, the camera camera captured the moment Jung Il Woo bowed his head, tears rolling down his face. He once shared that Lee Soon Jae was the one who taught him to understand the responsibilities of actors: "No matter how big or small the role, standing in front of the camera is to act with all your heart."

The echo remains forever in the hearts of the public

Lee Soon Jae's passing leaves a void that is difficult to fill, but his legacy is not only massive films but also an inspiration for the next generation.

The KBS Drama Awards 2025 ended on a sad but beautiful note. The image of Jung Il Woo suppressing his grief to promise to continue the path of his teacher has created a symbol of inheritance between two generations. The "national grandfather" may be gone, but his spirit and dedication will forever be a guideline for young artists in Korea and in the hearts of audiences throughout Asia. Jung Il Woo's tears are not only the pain of a student saying goodbye to his teacher, but also the promise of a generation to come: the 'Grandfather of the Nation' may have gone away, but the flame of Lee Soon Jae's passion and dedication will burn forever in the hearts of those who stay.

Lee Soon Jae received the biggest title at the age of 90, leaving behind a famous quote An Thảo17:28:32 25/11/2025Early morning on November 25, the Asian entertainment industry received sad news: Veteran artist Lee Soon Jae, known as the national acting treasure of Korea, passed away at the age of 91.