Veteran 'Squid Game' Actress Passes Away After Tragic Cancer Battle

Lee Joo-shil, the veteran South Korean actress best known for her role in "Squid Game" Season 2, has passed away at the age of 81, just three months after being diagnosed with stomach cancer.

The beloved actress died on February 2, 2025, at her family home in Uijeongbu, South Korea.

The "Squid Game" alum's funeral is set to take place at the Severance Hospital funeral hall in Sinchon, Seoul, on February 5, 2025.

Born in 1944, Lee Joo-shil began her acting career in 1964, initially making her mark in theater before transitioning to film and television. She became a household name in South Korea during the 1970s and 1980s, starring in classic productions such as "Death of a Salesman" and "Macbeth."

Her film and TV credits include the long-running "K-drama Country Diary" (1980–2002), the internationally acclaimed horror-thriller "Train to Busan" (2016), and various supporting roles in hit dramas.

Most recently, she appeared in Netflix’s "Squid Game" Season 2, which premiered on December 26, 2024. She portrayed Park Mal Soon, the mother of Hwang Jun-ho, in what would become one of her final on-screen performances.

Lee Joo-shil was diagnosed with stomach cancer three months ago. Despite receiving treatment, she ultimately succumbed to the illness. However, this was not her first battle with cancer. She was previously diagnosed with stage 4 breast cancer in 1993 and was given just one year to live.

Against all odds, she fought the disease for 13 years, during which she pursued higher education and later earned a doctorate in public health from Wonkwang University in 2010.

Following the news of her passing, fans and fellow actors have taken to social media to honor Lee Joo-shil’s remarkable legacy.

Many have praised her contributions to South Korean cinema and television, with one tribute reading, "Veteran actress Lee Joo-shil has sadly passed away 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."

"May you find peace," another user said on X, the social media platform formerly known as Twitter.

"Rest in peace. I was really fascinated by your performance in every series I watched," a third wrote. "I will remember you with great affection."

Lee Joo-shil’s influence on the industry and her dedication to her craft will not be forgotten. As South Korea and the entertainment world mourn the loss of a legendary actress, her body of work will continue to inspire generations to come.

With "Squid Game" Season 2 leaving audiences on the edge of their seats, anticipation for Season 3 is already reaching a fever pitch. Fans of the global Netflix phenomenon are eager to see where the high-stakes survival drama will go next, and creator and director Hwang Dong-hyuk has begun dropping tantalizing hints about what’s in store.

In a recent interview, Hwang teased even bigger twists, intense alliances, and deeper dives into the show's mysterious power structures. While plot details remain heavily guarded, the director assured fans that the next season will continue to push both its characters and viewers to the limit, forcing them to grapple with moral dilemmas and shocking revelations.

“At this point, anything I might say is going to be a spoiler, so I want to be cautious,” Hwang told Variety. “But what I can say is, after Season 2 launches, I believe we will be announcing the launch date for Season 3 soon. I probably expect that to launch around summer or fall next year.”

Netflix previously confirmed that Season 3 will be the final installment, set for release in 2025. Now that Season 2 has wrapped, fans are speculating about the next chapter in the deadly game.

With "Squid Game" continuing to be one of Netflix’s biggest successes, expectations are high for the final chapter.

Will Gi-hun take down the organization once and for all? Or will he be forced to play once again?

Fans won’t have to wait long to find out, as Season 3 is expected to premiere on June 27.