Actor Kim Soo-mi, a veteran actor renowned for playing the iconic role of Il-yong’s mother in Korea’s longest-running show, MBC’s “Country Diaries” (1980-2002), died on Friday. She was 75.

The news of the actor’s death broke out Friday morning. “The police investigation concluded that the final cause of her death was hyperglycemia,” said her son Jung Myung-ho, the CEO of Napalkkot Group. “Her blood sugar level came out over 500.”


Kim was pronounced dead at Seoul St. Mary's Hospital in southern Seoul, where she'd been transferred around 8 a.m. on Friday after suffering from cardiac arrest earlier that morning, according to the Seocho Police Precinct.

Kim’s funeral took place at Hanyang University Hospital in Seongdong District, eastern Seoul. She was cremated Sunday morning.

The iconic actor left a strong impression on the comedic scene, particularly for swearing with gusto, which brought audiences a refreshing sense of release. The late actor, who was born in 1949 and debuted in 1970, spent 10 years in obscurity before her appearance in “Country Diaries,” gaining her first real recognition for playing Il-yong’s mother, a character in her 70s, despite being only 31 at the time.

Since then, the actor has continuously appeared on the brown and silver screens as well as the musical stage.

She appeared in several Korean hit comedies, including film series “Marrying the Mafia” (2002-23), which released its latest installment last year, movie “Barefoot Gi Bong” (2006) and MBC's “Hello, Francesca” (2005-06). She also performed in the musical “My Mother” (2010-) until recently.

Kim is also known for her cooking, especially her kimchi and banchan, or Korean side dishes, and for sharing her creations with her colleagues and people close to her. She even operated a kimchi business, which sold 600 million won ($432 million) worth of kimchi in just an hour during a TV shopping program, and shared her own culinary techniques on a slew of her own shows such as tvN’s “Mother’s Touch: Korean Side Dishes” (2018-20).

The actor was not in her best shape in the lead-up to her death. She put a halt in her activities after being hospitalized in May and June for accumulated fatigue.

Up until her hospitalization, she'd actively appeared in front of people, including in the musical “My Mother” (2010-). Her son later revealed that his mother had under great stress due to the musical, saying she had not been paid for her performances since the previous year and was “preparing to file a complaint.” The show, which she'd been doing for 14 years, had been accused of plagiarizing a segment of a 2007 stage play of the same name, bringing on its financial issues.

Many of Kim's colleagues expressed condolences and shock following the sudden news of her death, including Culture Minister Yu In-chon. Yu starred alongside Kim in “Country Diaries,” playing Kim Yong-sik.

“I share my deepest condolences, hearing Kim’s death,” Yu said. “She was an actor who left a lasting impression on all of us.”

“Rather than a glamorous star, she approached us with warmth and humor, like a family, making this loss all the more profound. It feels more like losing a beloved family member than like losing a star. I feel deeply grateful to Kim for inspiring future generations of actors and showing them the breadth of what’s possible. Once again, I extend my deepest condolences for the loss of Kim.”

Actor Choi Bul-am, who also appeared in “Country Diaries,” recounted his memories of Kim to Yonhap News, saying she was “a great actor and mother.

“I asked her if her health was in good condition when reuniting with her through variety show ‘The Village President’s People’ [2022-2024] after a long time, to which she replied, with great energy, that she was fine,” he said. “I never expected she would leave us like this.”

Actor Kim Young-ok, who knew the late actor for more than 40 years, was also shocked by announcement. “I couldn't believe it,” she told Yonhap. “I thought it was fake news.”

Actor Kim Yong-gun, another “Country Diaries,” co-star, revealed to YTN that he'd talked with the late actor just two weeks ago and that they'd worried about each other’s health.

“She was always a person full of energy and positivity,’” he said to the broadcaster. “She was also generous and caring, sharing not just food, but also kindness with those around her.”

Chef Jung Ji-sun, who met Kim Soo-mi through KBS2’s “Boss in the Mirror” (2019-), expressed sadness and condolences on Instagram on Friday.

“She was a truly special figure to me,” she said, posting photos of herself with Kim. “I spoke with her on the phone and greeted her just five days ago. She always supported me and gave me strength. I’m so upset. I love you.”

The actor is survived by her husband and two children. Her son, Jung, married actor Seo Hyo-rim in 2019. The two welcomed a daughter the following year.

BY KIM JI-YE [kim.jiye@joongang.co.kr]