Lee Joo-sil, the beloved actress from the global hit Squid Game, has passed away at the age of 81, just three months after being diagnosed with stomach cancer. According to The Chosun Ilbo, Lee died on Sunday at her family home in Uijeongbu, South Korea.
Lee’s cancer diagnosis came in November 2024, but she had a long history with health struggles, having battled stage three breast cancer in her fifties. At the time, she was given less than a year to live, but against the odds, she was declared cancer-free 13 years later.
Lee was best known for her role as Park Mal-soon in Squid Game, where she portrayed the mother of police detective Hwang Jun-ho and the stepmother of The Front Man, Hwang In-ho. She appeared in the first two episodes of Season 2, which is set to air in 2025. It remains unclear whether she will appear in the third and final season, which has already been filmed and will be released on Netflix in June 2025.
Her funeral will take place on February 5 at Shinchon Severance Hospital.
Lee’s acting career began in 1964, with roles in stage productions and voice acting. She became a well-loved figure in South Korea, with standout roles in films like the 2016 zombie thriller Train to Busan, where she played the grandmother of Seok-woo. She also appeared in popular Korean dramas such as The Uncanny Counter, Country Diaries, It’s Beautiful Now, and The Witch’s Diner.
Fans of the actress and Squid Game took to social media to express their grief, with many sharing messages of love and support, mourning the loss of a talented and cherished actress.
Netflix and Squid Game have yet to release an official statement regarding Lee’s passing.