Lee Soon Jae received the highest honor, the Grand Prize, at the ‘2024 KBS Drama Awards’, moving audiences with his heartfelt speech. In the drama ‘Dog Knows Everything’, Lee Soon Jae played a character solving mysterious cases alongside a police dog, Sophie, setting a new record as the oldest recipient of the Grand Prize.

Lee Soon Jae opened his acceptance speech with a touch of humor, saying, "Living long enough, days like this happen." He continued, "I always believed that someday the opportunity would come, and today I’m honored to receive this precious and beautiful award." He emphasized the importance of evaluating acting purely on its merit, stating, "Acting should be judged as acting, not based on popularity or external factors."

Expressing gratitude, Lee Soon Jae acknowledged that the award was not his alone, but a result of the combined efforts of the cast and crew of ‘Dog Knows Everything’. He highlighted the dedication required for the production, sharing that filming required him to travel more than 20 times to remote locations.

The actor also shared a touching story about his students, as he serves as a distinguished professor at Gachon University. Balancing his teaching responsibilities and filming proved challenging, but his students reassured him, saying, "Don’t worry, professor. Focus on your drama, and we’ll take care of everything." Their encouragement moved Lee Soon Jae to tears, and he credited their support for his success.

In his speech, Lee Soon Jae also mentioned Choi Soo Jong, the previous year’s Grand Prize winner, reminiscing about their time working together on the long-running daily drama ‘Ordinary People’, where Choi Soo Jong played his son. Lee Soon Jae praised Choi Soo Jong for his continued dedication and growth as an actor.

Lee Soon Jae’s heartfelt words resonated deeply with everyone in attendance. Many fellow actors wiped away tears, and the audience gave him a standing ovation to honor his legacy and achievements.

The ‘2024 KBS Drama Awards’ was originally scheduled to air live on December 31, 2024, but was postponed and recorded due to the national mourning period following the Jeju Air disaster. The ceremony aired on January 11, 2025, delivering a message of hope and inspiration through Lee Soon Jae’s moving speech.

Lee Soon Jae’s award and his profound reflections on acting and life left an enduring impact on viewers and his peers alike.

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