Kim Ji Mee, icon of Korean cinema, dies at 85

Veteran actress starred in over 700 films and won multiple Best Actress awards

Kim Ji Mee, icon of Korean cinema, dies at 85
Kim Ji Mee, icon of Korean cinema, dies at 85

Renowned South Korean actress Kim Ji Mee, a towering figure in the nation’s film industry, has passed away at the age of 85 in the United States, industry sources confirmed on December 10.

Kim Ji Mee made her cinematic debut in 1957 with director Kim Ki Young’s “Twilight Train” and went on to grace the silver screen in nearly 700 films over the course of her illustrious career, spanning more than three decades.

Her versatile performances captivated audiences across a wide range of genres, including literary dramas, melodramas, action films, and historical epics.

Over the years, she earned multiple Best Actress awards at major domestic film festivals, including the Grand Bell Awards, Blue Dragon Film Awards, and Baeksang Arts Awards.

Beyond her acting achievements, Kim Ji Mee made lasting contributions to the Korean film industry as the founder of Ji Mee Film and a commissioner of the Korean Film Council, helping shape and influence the industry for generations to come.