Veteran South Korean actress Lee Joo-Sil, best known for her role as Park Mal Soon in the second season of Netflix's "Squid Game," passed away at 81. According to her talent agency, 1230Culture, Lee suffered cardiac arrest at her family home on the morning of February 2. She was transferred to St. Mary's Hospital in Uijeongbu, Gyeonggi, where she was pronounced dead, as reported by South Korean newspaper JoongAng Ilbo.
Lee had been diagnosed with stomach cancer just three months before her passing, according to "The Korea Herald." This was not her first battle with a severe illness; she was previously diagnosed with stage 4 breast cancer in her fifties and given a one-year prognosis. Despite the dire diagnosis, she successfully fought the disease for over 13 years, a journey she shared in a July 2023 broadcast.
"I found out at the end of stage 3 and it soon became stage 4," Lee said at the time. "I overcame it well because I have children." She also reflected on the resilience she developed during hardship: "Everyone becomes stronger when faced with a crisis. If you let everything go, you become helpless."
Her role in "Squid Game" Season 2, in which she played the mother of undercover detective Hwang Joon-Ho (Wi Ha Joon) and the stepmother of Hwang In Ho (Lee Byung Hun), was her last credited performance.
Lee Joo-Sil's career spanned six decades, beginning in 1964. She built a distinguished portfolio across stage and screen, starring in renowned theater productions such as "Death of a Salesman" and "Macbeth." Her work in television included roles in "The Uncanny Counter," while film fans may remember her from the 2016 horror hit "Train to Busan."
Beyond her acting achievements, Lee pursued academic excellence, earning a doctorate degree in Public Health from Wonkwang University in 2010, as noted by JoongAng Ilbo.
According to The Korea Times, Lee Joo-Sil's funeral service will be held on February 5 at Severance Hospital in Sinchon, Seoul. Her legacy as a tenacious and gifted actress will endure through the many roles she brought to life on stage and screen.
‘Squid Game’ Season 2
The creator, writer, director, and executive producer, Hwang Dong-Hyuk, is gearing up for the show's final chapter. “It took 12 years to bring the first season of ‘Squid Game’ to life last year. But it took 12 days for ‘Squid Game’ to become the most popular Netflix series ever,” the creator wrote, “As the writer, director and producer of ‘Squid Game,’ a huge shout out to fans around the world. Thank you for watching and loving our show.”
“Join us once more for a whole new round,” he concluded.