Lee Joo-Sil, Squid Game Actress, Passes Away at 81

Lee Joo-Sil, famed for her role as Park Mal Soon in the second season of Netflix's "Squid Game," has died at the age of 81, PEOPLE writes. Her agency, 1230Culture, reported that she passed away on the morning of February 2.

According to her agency, Lee experienced cardiac arrest at her home and was pronounced dead after arriving at St. Mary’s Hospital in Uijeongbu, Gyeonggi, as confirmed by the "JoongAng Ilbo."

The "Korea Herald" disclosed that Lee received a diagnosis of stomach cancer just three months prior to her death. Her last role was in "Squid Game," where she portrayed the mother of undercover detective Hwang Joon-Ho, played by Wi Ha Joon, and the stepmother of Hwang In Ho, played by Lee Byung-hun.

Lee had a prior battle with stage 4 breast cancer in her fifties and faced a one-year life expectancy, according to "The Chosun Ilbo." However, she successfully fought the disease, spending 13 years in treatment.

During a July 2023 interview, she revealed, "I found out at the end of stage 3, and it soon became stage 4. I overcame it well because I have children." She articulated valuable insights by stating, "Everyone becomes stronger when faced with a crisis. If you let everything go, you become helpless."

Lee began her acting career in 1964, featuring in celebrated stage productions like "Death of a Salesman" and "Macbeth." She also appeared in the popular K-drama "The Uncanny Counter" and the acclaimed horror film "Train to Busan." Importantly, she earned a doctorate in Public Health from Wonkwang University in 2010, enhancing her impressive legacy.

Her funeral service is scheduled to take place at Severance Hospital in Sinchon, Seoul, on February 5, as reported by "The Korea Times."

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