The world of K-drama was rocked when news broke regarding the legendary actor from Netflix’s massive hit. People were searching frantically for details after headlines surfaced that a squid game star died, but the reality of the situation is actually more complex than a single headline can capture. While many fans were mourning the loss of a specific cast member, others were confusing legal battles with actual obituaries. It's a mess. Honestly, the way information travels online these days makes it nearly impossible to tell what's real and what's just clickbait designed to ruin your afternoon.
When we talk about the veteran actors who made Squid Game a cultural phenomenon, one name stands above the rest: O Yeong-su. He played Oh Il-nam, the "Old Man" or Player 001. His performance was chilling. It was heartbreaking. It won him a Golden Globe—the first ever for a Korean actor. But then, things took a dark turn in his personal life that had nothing to do with the show’s fictional games.
Sorting Fact from Fiction: Which Squid Game Star Actually Passed Away?
If you’re looking for the truth about which squid game star died, we have to talk about Kim Mi-soo. This is where a lot of the confusion stems from. Kim Mi-soo wasn't in the primary "player" cast of the first season in the way O Yeong-su was, but she was a rising star in the South Korean industry. She passed away suddenly in January 2022 at the age of 29.
She was best known for her role in Snowdrop, but because she was a prominent face in the Netflix/K-Drama ecosystem, her death was often linked to the Squid Game cast in social media eulogies. It was a tragedy that caught everyone off guard. Her agency, Landscape Entertainment, asked people to refrain from spreading rumors so the family could mourn in peace. It’s a stark reminder that behind these massive global hits are real people with real families.
Then there is the confusion surrounding O Yeong-su himself.
He didn't die. But his career basically did.
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In late 2022, he was charged with indecent assault following allegations from 2017. By early 2024, he was convicted and handed a suspended prison sentence. For a man in his late 70s who had just reached the pinnacle of global fame, this was a different kind of ending. It’s why you see so many people searching for "Squid Game star died"—they are conflating the death of his public persona and career with physical death.
The Tragic Loss of Lee Sun-kyun and the Netflix Connection
If you are feeling a sense of grief regarding a major Korean star associated with these types of gritty, high-stakes thrillers, you are likely thinking of Lee Sun-kyun. While he was the lead in the Oscar-winning Parasite and not a contestant in Squid Game, the global audience often groups these actors together. Lee Sun-kyun died in December 2023.
His death was a massive blow to the industry.
It was a nightmare scenario. He was under intense police investigation for alleged drug use—a massive taboo in South Korea—and the pressure from the media was relentless. He was found dead in his car in Seoul. This sparked a huge conversation, led by Parasite director Bong Joon-ho, about the "yellow journalism" and "police leaks" that contribute to the deaths of celebrities in Korea.
When a squid game star died or a star of that caliber passes, the ripple effect is felt globally because we’ve spent dozens of hours with them in our living rooms. The parasocial relationship is real. You feel like you know them.
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Why the "Old Man" O Yeong-su Is Always in the News
The fascination with O Yeong-su won't go away. Basically, he represents the peak and the valley of fame. One minute he’s the most beloved grandpa on the planet, and the next, he’s in a courtroom.
- The Golden Globe Win: A historic moment for Korean cinema.
- The Allegations: Dating back to 2017, involving inappropriate touching.
- The Verdict: An eight-month suspended sentence.
- The Fallout: He was edited out of upcoming films and commercials.
It’s a heavy topic. It’s not as simple as a "Yes/No" answer regarding a death. In the digital age, a "social death" or a "career death" triggers the same search algorithms as a physical passing, which is why the search term squid game star died continues to trend even when the actors are physically alive.
The Impact of Sudden Loss in the K-Drama Industry
The South Korean entertainment industry is notorious for its "pressure cooker" environment. We’ve seen it time and again. Young actors, peak-of-their-career stars, and veterans all face a level of scrutiny that is almost unimaginable in the West.
Jung Chae-yull, another young actress who was set to star in Wedding Impossible, passed away at 26 in 2023. While not a lead in Squid Game, the overlap in viewership means that every time a young Korean actor passes, the "Squid Game" tag gets attached to the news to drive clicks. It's kinda gross, honestly. But that’s how the internet works.
What people are actually looking for when they search for a squid game star died is often a way to process the fact that the actors they loved are no longer on their screens. Whether it’s due to a tragic passing like Kim Mi-soo or a legal exile like O Yeong-su, the "death" of the character’s future is what hurts the fans.
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Navigating the Rumor Mill: How to Verify Celebrity News
Don't trust TikTok. Just don't.
Seriously, the amount of fake "RIP" videos on TikTok is insane. They use AI-generated voices to claim a squid game star died just to get views on a sponsored link. If you want to know the truth, you have to look at reputable trade publications like Variety, The Hollywood Reporter, or South Korea’s Yonhap News Agency.
If a major actor from a show that had 1.6 billion hours of viewership died, it would be on the front page of the New York Times. It wouldn't just be a blurry thumbnail on a YouTube Short.
What to Actually Keep an Eye On
If you’re a fan of the show, Season 2 is finally moving forward. But the cast looks very different. Lee Jung-jae is back, obviously. But the "Old Man" is gone, both narratively and legally.
- Check the official Netflix Korea social media accounts for cast updates.
- Follow reputable journalists like Jean Noh or organizations like the Korean Film Council (KOFIC).
- Be skeptical of any "breaking news" that doesn't have a direct quote from an agency.
The reality of the squid game star died search is that it’s a mix of a few real tragedies, one massive legal downfall, and a whole lot of internet confusion. It’s important to separate the person from the character. Oh Il-nam died in the show. The actor, O Yeong-su, is alive but facing a very different reality than he was three years ago.
Actionable Steps for Fans:
If you want to support the legacy of actors who have actually passed, consider watching their broader filmography. For Kim Mi-soo, check out Snowdrop or Hi Bye, Mama!. For Lee Sun-kyun, My Mister is widely considered one of the greatest television shows ever made—not just in Korea, but anywhere. Supporting their work is a much better way to honor them than clicking on "death hoax" links. Always verify through official channels before sharing news on social media to prevent the spread of misinformation that causes unnecessary grief to families and fans alike.