Since its release, the series has garnered widespread praise and global recognition, earning multiple prestigious awards, including six Primetime Emmy Awards and a Golden Globe.Fans of Squid Game are heartbroken after learning about the passing of one of the show’s stars.
Someone else reflects: “Known for her role in Squid Game and decades of iconic performances, she leaves behind a lasting legacy. May she rest in peace.”
A fourth person adds: “She was such a phenomenal actress. Rest in peace.”
Lee Joo-Sil portrayed Park Mal Soon, the mother of Hwang Jun Ho (played by Wi Ha Joon) and the stepmother of Hwang In Ho (played by Lee Byung Hun) in the series.
Hwang Jun Ho, a former police detective, goes undercover in the Squid Games during the first season, while Hwang In Ho—better known as the Front Man—is the current head of operations overseeing the games.
Lee’s acting career began in the 1960s, where she performed in stage productions and worked as a voice actress before securing numerous roles in K-dramas.
Aside from Squid Game, one of her most notable performances was in the 2016 zombie thriller Train to Busan, where she played Mrs. Woo, the grandmother of the protagonist.
She also had a significant role in the K-drama The Uncanny Counter, a series about paranormal hunters tracking down evil spirits from the afterlife.
According to the Korean newspaper The Chosun Ilbo, Lee passed away at her family home in Uijeongbu on February 2. Her talent agency, 1230Culture, confirmed that she suffered cardiac arrest.
The 81-year-old actress passed away just months after being diagnosed with stomach cancer, a disease that remains one of the most common cancers globally.
The Chosun Ilbo also reported that Lee had previously battled stage three breast cancer in her fifties and was initially given less than a year to live. However, after 13 years, she was declared cancer-free by doctors.
At this time, it remains uncertain whether Lee will appear in the third and final season of Squid Game, which is scheduled to premiere on June 27, 2025.
