- Squid Game season 2 star Lee Joo-sil has tragically died
- The actor played an undercover cop in the show’s new episodes
- Season 3 is coming to Netflix in June
Squid Game actor Lee Joo-sil has tragically passed away after a short battle with stomach cancer.
Korean newspaper The Chosen Ilbo announced the news on Sunday 2 February before it was picked up by Western media outlets. 81-year-old South Korean actor famed for a career that spanned the stage, vocal performances and various roles in K-dramas on Korean television.
Read more: Squid Game season 3 release date confirmed with first look
In addition to Squid Game, Western audiences may recognise her from her role as Mrs Woo in the acclaimed Korean zombie film Train to Busan. She played the grandmother of the movie’s hero Seok-woo.
Read more: Squid Game season 3: What to expect
Joo-sil was previously diagnosed with stomach cancer a number of years ago but had since received the all-clear. Her stomach cancer diagnosis arrived just three months ago.
Who did Lee Joo-sil play in Squid Game?
Joo-sil appeared in episodes of Squid Game season 2. She played Park Mal Soon, the mother of Wi Ha Joon’s Hwang Joon-Ho.
Fans will no doubt remember that Joon-Ho was the undercover police officer who spent most of season 2 trying to find the island where the notorious Squid Game is held.
In addition to playing Joon-Ho’s mother, Joo-sil also plays the step-mother of Lee Byung-hun’s Hwang In Ho AKA the notorious Front Man and evil Squid Game overseer.
Squid Game season 2 was filmed back-to-back with its third and final season. However, it’s unclear whether Joo-sil will appear in any future episodes.
When is Squid Game season 3 released?
Squid Game season 3 will hit Netflix on Friday 27 June 2025. The news was confirmed by the streamer in late January.
“Picking up where the second season left off, Season 3 explores the choices Gi-hun (Lee Jung-jae) will make amidst overwhelming despair,” explained a synopsis for the new season.
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“As the Front Man (Lee Byung-hun) plots his next move, the surviving players find their decisions leading to increasingly dire consequences with each round of the deadly games. This season promises to push the limits of suspense and drama, keeping viewers glued to the action.”
