‘Squid Game’ actress Lee Joo Sil passes away - all you need to know

Veteran South Korean actress Lee Joo Sil, known for her role in Squid Game 2, has passed away at 80. Her agency confirmed that she died on Sunday, February 2, at 10:20 a.m., while undergoing hospital treatment for stomach cancer.

Lee portrayed Park Mal Soon, the mother of Hwang Jun Ho (Wi Ha Joon) and stepmother of Hwang In Ho (Lee Byung Hun) in Squid Game 2.

Lee had been fighting stomach cancer for over a decade. She previously revealed on MBN’s Special World that she had been diagnosed with stage three breast cancer but was later declared cancer-free—until the disease returned.


Her funeral service is scheduled for February 5 at Shinchon Severance Hospital in South Korea.

Many fans took to social media to pay their tribute.

"Veteran actress Lee Joo Sil has sadly passed away at 80 after battling stomach cancer. Known for her role in Squid Game 2 and decades of iconic performances, she leaves behind a lasting legacy. May she rest in peace," said one.

Another recalled her role in The Uncanny Counter, saying, "Actress Lee Joo Sil, who played Somun’s grandmother, passed away today. Condolences [flowers emoji]. May she rest in peace [angel emoji]."

A Career Spanning Six Decades

Lee began her acting career in 1964, working in both voice acting and on-screen roles. She was known for her performances in:

The Uncanny Counter (TV series)
Train to Busan (film)
Squid Game 2

Squid Game 2 has been a massive success, amassing over 126.2 million views since December 26—a record for Netflix, which has already confirmed a third season.