Kim Ji-mi, an actress-turned-producer who helped define the golden age of Korean cinema, has died at 85.
Industry groups, including the Korean Film Actors Association, said they are in contact with her family and are preparing an industry memorial service.
She had been battling shingles in recent months and passed away in the United States, according to officials.
Debuting in 1957 with Kim Ki-young’s “Twilight Train,” Kim dominated the screen throughout the 1960s and ’70s, appearing in roughly 450 films. Celebrated for her striking beauty and singular star power, she was often dubbed “the Elizabeth Taylor of the East.”
In the 1980s, she launched Jimi Film and, alongside maestro Im Kwon-taek, produced enduring works such as “Gilsotteum” and “Ticket.” She also helped bring international hits like “The Last Emperor” and “RoboCop” to Korean theaters. Beyond the set, Kim led key industry associations and served on the Korean Film Council, helping lay the groundwork for the modern film industry.
(SBS Entertainment News | Kang Kyung-youn)