Kim Joo-young, a veteran South Korean actor celebrated for his powerful and memorable performances in numerous historical dramas, including the iconic series “Tears of the Dragon“ and “Jeong Do-jeon,” passed away on September 30. He was 73 years old. The cause of death was reported as pneumonia.
The late actor Kim Joo-young, a familiar face in Korean historical dramas for decades.
A Long and Storied Career
A graduate of the prestigious Theater and Film department at Chung-Ang University, Kim Joo-young began his acting career in 1974 after being selected as part of MBC‘s sixth open recruitment class for actors. He also passed the 15th open audition for the former television network TBC.
He first rose to prominence playing villainous roles in MBC’s long-running and popular crime series, “Chief Inspector.” His talent and screen presence soon led to his first leading role in the 1985 drama “Cutting the Moonlight.”
Over his decades-long career, Kim became a staple of Korean historical dramas, often portraying formidable, high-ranking officials and fiery-tempered generals. His extensive list of credits in the genre includes major KBS productions such as “Empress Myeongseong” (2001–02), “Dae Jo-yeong” (2006–07), and “The Great King Sejong” (2008).
Kim Joo-young was best known for his commanding roles in historical dramas like “Tears of the Dragon.”
Life After the Spotlight
While best known for his historical roles, Kim also appeared in modern series, including KBS’s “I’m Glad I Loved You” (2010–11) and SBS‘s “New Tales of Gisaeng” (2011).
Kim Joo-young largely stepped back from his acting career after his role in the 2014 historical drama “Jeong Do-jeon.” In a rare television appearance later in his life, he surprised many by revealing that he had become a shaman. Despite this new path, he never lost his love for acting, expressing a heartfelt desire to continue his craft. “I want to keep acting until the day I die,” he said.
