South Korean actress Park Ji-ah, known for her role in the Netflix series “The Glory” (2022-2023), passed away on September 30 at the age of 52.
Her agency, Billions, released a statement saying, “Park Ji-ah passed away at 2.50am (South Korean time) from cerebral infarction. We will not forget the passion of the deceased who loved performing,”
Cerebral infarction occurs when blood flow to the brain is obstructed. Park gained recognition for her portrayal of the antagonist mother of protagonist Moon Dong-eun (played by Song Hye-kyo) in the popular revenge drama “The Glory”.
The series, which follows Dong-eun’s complex plans to avenge the high school bullies who brutally assaulted her, is one of Netflix’s most-watched K-dramas, amassing 622.8 million viewing hours in its first year.
Park began her acting career in the theater company Chaimu, making appearances as an extra in films such as “Filmmaking” (1997) and “Maria and the Inn” (1997).
She was also a recurring actress in the works of the late art-house director Kim Ki-duk, who passed away from COVID-19 in 2020. Park featured in several of his films, including “The Coast Guard” (2002), “Spring, Summer, Fall, Winter… and Spring” (2003), “3-Iron” (2004), “Breath” (2007), and “Dream” (2008).
“Breath”, where Park played a leading role as a depressed housewife who begins an affair with a man on death row, was chosen for competition at the prestigious Palme d’Or at the Cannes Film Festival in 2007.
A funeral hall for Park has been established at the Asan Medical Center in Seoul, with the funeral procession scheduled for October 2 at 10 AM.