Squid Game actress Lee Joo-sil dies at 80

6 days ago 63

SEOUL - South Korean actress Lee Joo-sil, who most recently appeared in the second season of global hit Squid Game (2021 to present), has died at the age of 80 on Feb 2, her agency 1230Culture said.

Lee had been battling stomach cancer since being diagnosed with the condition in November 2024, 1230Culture said.

She was admitted to a hospital in Seoul earlier on Feb 2 after suffering cardiac arrest and was pronounced dead at the hospital.

Debuting in 1965 as a theatrical actress, Lee became a prominent figure in South Korea’s theatre scene, starring in numerous acclaimed productions such as Death Of A Salesman and Macbeth during the 1970s and 1980s.  

She successfully battled breast cancer after being diagnosed with the condition in 1993, making a full recovery after more than 10 years.

Despite her health struggles, she remained active in her career, expanding into television and film. She also earned a doctorate in public health from South Korea’s Wonkwang University.

In the second season of Squid Game, Lee played the mother of police officer Hwang Jun-ho, portrayed by South Korean actor Wi Ha-joon. In the first season, Hwang infiltrated the deadly game as a guard to search for his missing brother In-ho, played by actor Lee Byung-hun.

Her other major roles include the mother of Park So-yun, a character from North Korea performed by South Korean actress Han Hyo-joo in American drama Treadstone (2019).

Lee Joo-sil also appeared in the zombie flick Train To Busan (2016), playing the mother of Seok-woo, the lead character played by South Korean actor Gong Yoo.

She also acted in South Korean drama series such as It’s Beautiful Now (2022) and The Uncanny Counter (2020 to 2023). 

Her funeral service will be held at Severance Hospital in Seoul on Feb 5. THE KOREA HERALD/ASIA NEWS NETWORK

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