I’m heartbroken to share that veteran actress Kim Ji Mee has passed away at the age of 85 in the United States. News outlets reported her death on December 10. For fans of classic Korean cinema, this is the end of an era — she was a presence on screen for decades and left a massive body of work.
Kim Ji Mee debuted in 1957 in director Kim Ki Young’s film Twilight Train and built an astonishing career that stretched into the 1990s. Over that time she appeared in roughly 700 films across genres — from literary dramas and melodramas to action and historical pictures — and collected major acting honors along the way.
Highlights of her legacy:
- One of Korea’s most prolific screen actresses, with about 700 film credits between her 1957 debut and the 1990s.
- Winner of Best Actress awards at Korea’s major film ceremonies, including the Grand Bell (Daejong), Blue Dragon, and Baeksang Arts Awards.
- Co-created impact off-screen as the founder of production company Ji Mee Film and as a commissioner of the Korean Film Council.
- She began under director Kim Ki Young, a noted auteur of Korean cinema, which helped shape her early career.
There’s so much to revisit in her filmography for anyone who wants to celebrate her craft — her versatility and longevity made her a cornerstone of modern Korean film history. Rest in peace, Kim Ji Mee. Your work and influence will be remembered by movie lovers everywhere.
Source: Koreaboo
