Korean actress Lee Joo Sil, who portrayed Park Mal Soon in Squid Game Season 2, passed away at 80. Her talent agency, 1230Culture, confirmed that she died on Sunday, February 2, 2025, at St. Mary’s Hospital in Uijeongbu, South Korea, due to complications following a recent stomach cancer diagnosis.
A respected figure in the Korean entertainment industry, Lee’s career spanned over six decades, with notable roles across film, television, and theater. As the world remembers her legacy, here are 10 things to know about the late actress.
Who Was Lee Joo Sil? Facts About the Late Korean Actress
1. She was born on March 8, 1944.
Lee Joo Sil was born on March 8, 1944, in Bucheon, South Korea. She would have turned 81 this year.
2. She had starred in several popular K-dramas.
Beyond Squid Game, Lee Joo Sil had an impressive portfolio of work. She appeared in the acclaimed zombie thriller Train to Busan and the hit supernatural series The Uncanny Counter. Her career also included notable roles in Someday (2006), where she played Choi Sim-deok, and Loving You a Thousand Times (2009), which featured her in 55 episodes. She also played a North Korean spy in the 2013 thriller Commitment.
3. She had an acting career spanning over 60 years.
Lee Joo Sil began acting in 1964 and got her start in the industry through TBC’s second voice acting class in 1965. She soon transitioned to television and film, building a decades-long career that made her a household name in South Korea.
4. She was also a stage actress.
In addition to her work on screen, Lee Joo Sil was a seasoned stage actress. Her theater credits included local productions of Death of a Salesman and Macbeth, showcasing her versatility as a performer.
5. She was an award-winning actress.
Lee Joo Sil’s talent was recognized throughout her career. In 2023, she won Best Supporting Actress at the Wildflower Film Festival. She also received a prestigious Baeksang Arts Award for Best Theatre Actress at the 24th Baeksang Arts Awards.
6. She overcame stage 3 breast cancer in 1993.
According to Korean newspaper The Chosun Ilbo, Lee Joo Sil faced a major health battle in 1993 when she was diagnosed with stage 3 breast cancer and given only a year to live. However, she defied the odds, undergoing treatment for 13 years before ultimately recovering.
7. She found strength in her children and work.
In a July 2023 broadcast, Lee Joo Sil revealed that her children were her source of strength during her cancer battle. “I overcame it well because I have children,” she shared.
She also spoke about how continuing to work gave her a sense of purpose. “Everyone becomes stronger when faced with a crisis. If you let everything go, you become helpless. When I was contacted by a film company to work with them, I said, ‘I’m sick,’ and they said, ‘That’s an illness, and we’re working.’ I was grateful for that kind of thinking.”
8. She was diagnosed with stomach cancer in 2024.
In November 2024, Lee Joo Sil was diagnosed with stomach cancer, a battle she unfortunately could not overcome.
9. She earned a doctorate in Public Health.
Despite her demanding career and health struggles, Lee Joo Sil pursued higher education. She earned a doctorate in public health from Wonkwang University in 2010.
10. Among her last works was her impactful role in "Squid Game" Season 2.
Lee Joo Sil’s portrayal of Park Mal Soon in Squid Game Season 2 was both heart-wrenching and significant. As the mother of undercover detective Hwang Joon-Ho (Wi Ha Joon) and the stepmother of Hwang In Ho (Lee Byung Hun), she brought emotional depth to the series. Her character’s love for both her biological and stepchildren was palpable, as was her sorrow over In-ho’s estrangement.
We extend our heartfelt condolences to her family, friends, and fans. May she rest in peace.
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