With the passing of beloved actor Lee Soon-jae at the age of 91 on November 25, fans are revisiting one of his most heartfelt works: Late flowering. As news spread, the 2011 film resurfaced on social media, attracting poignant attention not only for its story but for one obscure reason, all four main cast members are now deceased.
Late flowering was written and directed by Choo Chang-min, based on Kang Full’s 2007 webtoon I love you. The romantic drama depicted the lives and loves of elderly people, starring legendary Korean actors Lee Soon-jae, Yoon So-jung, Song Jae-ho and Kim Soo-mi.
In the film, Lee Soon-jae played Kim Man-seok, a grumpy milkman who woke up the village every morning with his clanking and noisy motorbike. His life takes a tender turn when he meets Song Ee-peun, an old woman who collects scraps at dawn. A touching love story slowly develops.
Song Jae-ho played Jong Kun-bong, who worked in a parking lot near a scrap yard. His wife, Jo Soon-yi, played by Kim Soo-mi, suffered from Alzheimer’s, adding emotional weight to their story.
Due to the advanced age of the cast, the film initially struggled to obtain financing. Filmed on a modest budget of ₩1 billion ($684,000), it later raised an additional ₩1.1 billion ($753,000) for promotion, still small by the standards of Korean commercial films.
Late flowering opened quietly but gained traction through word of mouth and critical praise for its heartfelt and moving depiction of late-life love. Ultimately, it sold over 1.64 million tickets, earning more than $8 million in domestic box office revenue.
The film also brought prestigious awards to its cast. Kim Soo-mi won the Best Supporting Actress award at the Blue Dragon Film Awards, while Lee Soon-jae received the Best Actor award at the Golden Rooster and Hundred Flowers Film Festival in China.
Due to its success, a 16-episode drama adaptation followed in 2012, with Lee Soon-jae reprising his role.
Now, the film has regained attention for a heartbreaking reason. With the death of Lee Soon-jae, all the main actors of Late flowering went:
Yoon So-jung died at age 73 due to sepsis on June 16, 2017.
Song Jae-ho died in 2020 at the age of 83 due to a chronic illness.
Kim Soo-mi suffered cardiac arrest in October 2024, dying at the age of 75.
According to AllKpop, despite their absence, the cast’s performances remain immortal. “Every scene feels alive. It’s hard to believe that none of them are with us anymore,” one fan wrote. Others added, “Just hearing their names breaks my heart,” AND “They will live forever in our hearts.”
For many, Late flowering remains one of the most emotionally resonant Korean films ever made, a timeless tribute to love, memory and the quiet beauty of aging.
Sources: K14
