Actor Lee Gye-jun, Who Performed 'Pumba' on Stage 3,000 Times, Passes Away

Lee Gye-jun, Representative of Theater Company Kkangtong Photo by Korea Theater Association Yeosu Branch

[Asia Economy Reporter Seo Mideum] Lee Gyejun, a theater actor and director who played the role of the beggar 'Pumba' on stage more than 3,000 times and the representative of the theater troupe Kkangtong, has passed away at the age of 64.

According to the bereaved family, Lee passed away on the morning of the 25th at his home in Yeosu.

The deceased entered the theater world in 1977 with the children's play 'Peurandaseu-ui Gae' (A Dog of Flanders). After graduating from Seoul Institute of the Arts, he performed Pumba shows from 1981 and became known as a 'Pumba master.' He performed not only in Korea but also in the United States, Japan, China, and Germany.

In 1992, he received the Presidential Award for group performance at the National Theater Festival for 'Sarojapin Yeonghon' (Captured Soul), the Special Acting Award at the Chungbuk Theater Festival in 1993 for 'Punggeum Sori' (Sound of the Wind Chime), the Best Acting Award at the Chungbuk Theater Festival in 1996 for 'Mannequin-ui Norae' (Song of the Mannequin), and the Grand Prize for group performance at the Seoul Theater Festival in 1997 for 'Nameseo Osin Sonnim' (Guest from the South). At the end of April this year, he directed 'Guguk-ui Gyeoldan' (Patriotic Decision) written by Lee Woocheon, and was scheduled to perform as the Jeonnam representative at the Korean Theater Festival held in Miryang on July 20.

His surviving family includes his younger brother Lee Gilho, a holder of the Intangible Cultural Property No. 9 for Dancheong painting. The funeral is being held at Yeosu Jeil Hospital, Room 1, with the funeral service scheduled for the 27th at 12 noon.