Actor Kim Soo-mi, known for her role as ‘Ilyong’s mother’ in the long-running Korean drama “Country Diary,” has passed away. She was 75 years old.
According to Seoul Seocho Police Station, Kim experienced cardiac arrest in her home and was transported to Seoul St. Mary’s Hospital at 8 a.m. this morning (25th), but was pronounced dead.
It has been reported that this morning, Kim was found unconscious at her home in Bangbae-dong, Seocho-gu by her son. Her son immediately called emergency services (119), and she was taken to the emergency room at Seoul St. Mary’s Hospital, where her death was confirmed by medical staff, who then reported it to the police.
Kim debuted in 1971 as part of the third open recruitment for MBC talents and gained recognition for her distinctive and exotic looks and outstanding acting skills across TV dramas, films, and variety shows.
Despite being in her 30s at the start of the MBC rural drama “Country Diary” in 1980, she portrayed the elderly mother ‘Ilyong’s mother’ of actor Park Eun-soo, who was older than her in real life.
Her acting in “Country Diary” earned her the MBC Acting Award in 1986. Following the strong impression she left as Ilyong’s mother, Kim often took on roles of bold elderly women or mothers.
Kim continued to be active until recently, appearing in the film “Marrying the Mafia: Returns” released last year. However, in May of this year, she was hospitalized at Hanyang University Hospital in Seongdong-gu due to accumulated fatigue and temporarily halted her activities.
At the time, it was reported that Kim needed rest as a result of the fatigue accumulated from overlapping performances and broadcasting activities.
The police stated that Kim’s funeral will be held at Hanyang University Hospital.
(Photo = Yonhap News)