'Squid Game' actress Lee Joo-shil has died aged 81

They said: "Approximately three months ago, actress Lee Joo-shil's health declined, and she was diagnosed with stomach cancer after an examination from the hospital."

Lee died at her family home in Uijeongbu, South Korea and had been battling stomach cancer since her diagnosis late last year.

Born in 1944, Lee enjoyed a career spanning more than five decades, working across stage, film, television and Korean dramas.

She made her debut as a stage actress in 1965 and became a celebrated figure in South Korean theatre throughout the 1970s and 1980s.

Lee also starred in classic productions such as 'Death of a Salesman' and 'Macbeth', gaining critical acclaim for her performances.

Her transition to the screen saw her appear in numerous films and television dramas, including 'Country Diary' in 1980 and the 2016 zombie thriller 'Train to Busan'.

Most recently, she played Park Mal-soon, the mother of Hwang Jun-ho, in the second season of 'Squid Game', which was released just over a month ago on 26 December.

Lee fought breast cancer for more than a decade and, during her treatment, completed a college degree.

She later earned a doctorate in public health from Wonkwang University in 2010.

Following the news of her death, fans of 'Squid Game' took to social media to pay tribute.

One user said on X: "Omg no my favourite grandma may her soul rest in peace."

Another fan called her "such a phenomenal actress", while a third said: "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."

'Squid Game 2' was the highly anticipated follow-up to the globally successful first season created by Hwang Dong-hyuk, with Lee playing the mother of Wi Ha-joon's character in the series.

The original season was released on Netflix on 17 September 2021.