Squid Game actress Lee Joo-sil dies at 80
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Lee Joo-sil played the mother of police officer Hwang Jun-ho, played by actor Wi Ha-joon, in Squid Game 2.
PHOTO: EPA-EFE
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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, it added.
She was admitted to a hospital in Seoul earlier on Feb 2 after suffering cardiac arrest and was pronounced dead.
Debuting as a theatrical actress in 1965, 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 Squid Game 2, Lee played the mother of police officer Hwang Jun-ho (played by Wi Ha-joon). In the first season, Jun-ho infiltrated the deadly game as a guard to search for his missing brother In-ho, played by Lee Byung-hun.
Her other major roles include playing the mother of Park So-yun, a character from North Korea played 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 lead character Seok-woo (played by 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
