Legendary Korean Actress Kim Ji-mi Dies at 85

Veteran film actress Kim Ji-mi has died. She was 85.

According to film industry sources on Saturday, Kim passed away after her health deteriorated following a recent bout of shingles.

Born in Daedeok County, South Chungcheong Province in 1940, Kim made her debut in director Kim Ki-young's film "Twilight Train," launching her career at the center of Korean cinema. She went on to star in numerous films including "Chunhyangjeon" (1961), "The Land" (1974), and "Promise of the Flesh" (1975), establishing herself as a leading actress who spearheaded the golden age of Korean cinema in the 1960s and 1970s. She is known to have appeared in approximately 700 films.

Dubbed the "Elizabeth Taylor of the East" for her striking beauty, Kim left a brilliant legacy in Korean film history, winning numerous acting awards including Best Actress at the Panama International Film Festival and the Grand Bell Awards. In 2010, she was inducted into the Korean Film Hall of Fame under the title "Glamorous Actress."

In the 1980s, she continued to take on new challenges, including shaving her head for the role in "The Buddhist Nun" (1983). She also founded the production company "Jimi Film" and worked as a film producer. Beyond the screen, she served as a member of the Korean Film Council, contributing to the development of the Korean film industry.

The Korean Film Council Federation is preparing an official film industry funeral under its auspices.