Tragic Loss: The Beloved 'Squid Game' Actress Who Died In Real Life At 81

The global phenomenon of Squid Game has been hit with a real-life tragedy, as news broke on February 2, 2025, of the passing of a beloved veteran actress from the series. The star, who had a long and illustrious career in South Korean cinema and television, died at the age of 81 after a prolonged battle with stomach cancer. This somber event has brought a moment of reflection to the massive worldwide fanbase, highlighting the human cost behind the on-screen drama and the loss of a true acting legend.

The actress in question is Lee Joo-sil, who recently appeared in the highly anticipated second season of the Netflix hit, Squid Game 2. Her death comes shortly after filming her scenes, making her role one of her final major screen appearances. While the show is famous for its brutal on-screen deaths, this real-life passing of a cast member has resonated deeply, prompting an outpouring of tributes for her decades-long contribution to the Korean entertainment industry.

Lee Joo-sil: A Full Biography and Career Profile

Lee Joo-sil, a prolific figure in the world of South Korean entertainment, enjoyed a career that spanned over five decades, establishing her as a respected and recognizable face across multiple generations of viewers. Her work was characterized by her moving portrayals of mothers and grandmothers, often bringing a powerful emotional core to the stories she inhabited. The following is a detailed look at the life and career of the late actress.

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• Full Name: Lee Joo-sil (이주실)
• Date of Birth: March 8, 1944
• Birthplace: South Korea
• Date of Death: February 2, 2025
• Age at Death: 81 (Some sources state 80)
• Cause of Death: Stomach Cancer (She had been battling the illness for over a decade)
• Notable Roles: Park Mal Soon in Squid Game 2, Mother of Seok-woo in Train to Busan, Jang Chun-ok in The Uncanny Counter, and numerous roles in classic Korean dramas and films.
• Career Span: Active since the 1960s, with a significant presence in television and film well into the 2020s.

The Emotional Impact of Her Final Role in Squid Game 2

Lee Joo-sil’s most recent and globally recognized role was that of Park Mal Soon in the second season of Squid Game. Her character is pivotal to the backstory of the series’ central figures, connecting the fates of two of the show’s most mysterious and compelling characters.

Park Mal Soon is the mother of Detective Hwang Jun-ho (played by Wi Ha-joon) and the stepmother of Hwang In-ho, better known to fans as The Front Man (played by Lee Byung-hun). The relationship between these three characters—a detective searching for his missing brother, who is secretly the enigmatic leader of the deadly games, and their mother—is a crucial emotional anchor for the upcoming season. Lee Joo-sil appeared in the first two episodes of Squid Game 2, which premiered shortly before her death. Her performance as a mother dealing with the loss and mystery surrounding her two sons will undoubtedly be one of the most poignant aspects of the new season.

The actress was known for her ability to convey deep sorrow and maternal strength, qualities that were essential for the role of Park Mal Soon. Fans and critics alike are now viewing her final performance through a bittersweet lens, recognizing it as a final, powerful testament to her skill as a veteran actress.

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A Legacy Beyond the Red Light, Green Light: Train to Busan and K-Drama

While her role in Squid Game 2 brought her renewed international attention, Lee Joo-sil’s legacy was already cemented through a career filled with iconic performances. Her ability to seamlessly transition between film and television, often portraying the backbone of a Korean family, made her a national treasure.

The Unforgettable Mother in Train to Busan

For many international fans of Korean cinema, Lee Joo-sil is instantly recognizable from her role in the 2016 zombie-horror blockbuster, Train to Busan. In the film, she played the mother of Seok-woo (Gong Yoo), a workaholic father trying to protect his daughter during a zombie apocalypse. Although a minor role, her presence added significant weight to the narrative, embodying the universal theme of family sacrifice and the tragic reality of the unfolding disaster. This role, much like her part in Squid Game, highlights her connection to globally successful, high-concept Korean media.

A Pillar of K-Drama and Korean Film

Throughout the 1980s and 1990s, Lee Joo-sil was a constant presence in South Korean television dramas, often tackling complex roles that reflected the changing social dynamics of the country. Her versatility allowed her to play everything from stern matriarchs to warm, comedic grandmothers. Her extensive filmography includes appearances in popular K-dramas such as The Uncanny Counter, a series that also achieved significant international success on Netflix.

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Her decades of work provided a foundation for the current Hallyu wave, or Korean Wave, which has seen South Korean culture dominate the global entertainment landscape. The tributes pouring in from colleagues and fans acknowledge her as a veteran artist who paved the way for the younger generation of actors who now star in global hits like Squid Game.

Addressing Other 'Squid Game Actor Died' Rumors and Realities

The "Squid Game actor died" query often leads to confusion, as the show itself is predicated on death and many characters meet a brutal end. It is important to clarify that actress Lee Joo-sil is the only confirmed recent death of a cast member from the main series. However, the search query often brings up other figures who are either alive or were subjects of on-screen death confusion.

The Status of the Main Cast

To provide clarity and topical authority, it is essential to confirm the status of the main actors whose characters died in the first season:

• Oh Yeong-su (Player 001 / Oh Il-nam): The actor is alive. His character's on-screen death early in the series was a deliberate plot twist, as he was later revealed to be the creator and mastermind of the games. Oh Yeong-su, however, has faced unrelated legal issues regarding sexual misconduct charges.
• Jung Ho-yeon (Player 067 / Kang Sae-byeok): The actress is very much alive and has become a global fashion icon following the show's success. Her character met a tragic end in the penultimate episode, which the actress herself described as a strangely happy experience to film.
• Heo Sung-tae (Player 101 / Jang Deok-su): The actor is alive and continues to work prolifically. His character died in a dramatic fall during the Glass Bridge game.
• Park Hae-soo (Player 218 / Cho Sang-woo): The actor is alive. His character's self-sacrifice in the final game against Gi-hun was one of the series' most emotional moments.

The death of Lee Joo-sil, though her role as Park Mal Soon was relatively brief, is a genuine loss to the South Korean acting community and the global fanbase of the series. Her passing from stomach cancer, a disease she fought with for a long time, marks the end of an era for a dedicated and talented veteran actress.

Her professional dedication, even in her final years while battling a serious illness, serves as a powerful testament to her love for the craft. As the world awaits the full release of Squid Game 2, Lee Joo-sil’s performance will be a lasting tribute to her enduring talent and her significant place in the history of Korean entertainment.