Actor Kim Joo-young, from a pillar of epic historical dramas to a shaman… The story of his life after passing away from pneumonia.
Actor Kim Joo-young: From a Historic Drama Icon to a Shamanโฆ A Journey of Life Ending in Pneumonia ๐ซ
“His performances breathed life into historical characters, and his choices resonated deeply with everyone.”
Hello, everyone! Today, we will reflect on the life journey of our beloved actor Kim Joo-young. ๐ญ On September 30, 2025, he passed away at the age of 73 due to pneumonia, leaving behind a truly special life.
๐ Table of Contents
- Debut and Early Career
- Achievements as a Historical Drama Actor
- Transformation into a Shaman
- Final Journey
- Lasting Legacy
- Frequently Asked Questions
1. Debut and Early Career โญ
Born in 1952, Kim Joo-young graduated from Chung-Ang University with a degree in Theater and Film and debuted in 1973 as an MBC talent through the sixth recruitment. (Though I didn’t watch dramas in that era, my mother often shared stories about it ๐) Later, he made a re-debut as part of TBC’s 15th recruitment, gaining fame in the 1980s for his villainous role in ‘Police Chief’!
2. Achievements as a Historical Drama Actor ๐ฌ
From the 1990s, Kim Joo-young truly shone! He took part in notable KBS historical dramas such as ‘The 500 Years of Joseon Dynasty’, ‘Tears of the Dragon’, ‘Empress Myeongseong’, ‘King Sejong the Great’, and ‘Jeong Do-jeon’, often playing supporting roles and villains with powerful performances. His role as Jo Min-soo in ‘Jeong Do-jeon’ was especially legendary! (I definitely kept up with this drama ๐)
“In historical dramas, he was not just an actor reciting lines, but the very embodiment of historical figures.” – A critic’s review
3. Transformation into a Shaman ๐ฎ
This part was truly astonishing, right? After ‘Jeong Do-jeon’, he concluded his acting career and embarked on the path of a shaman. In an interview, Kim Joo-young confessed that he became a shaman following an experience of “unexplained pain and hearing other voices.” (I was genuinely shocked when I first heard this news ๐ฒ)
The transition from actor to shaman was an unconventional choice, but Kim Joo-young displayed authenticity on both paths. As a shaman, he provided comfort and guidance to many.
4. Final Journey ๐
Unfortunately, due to a history of tuberculosis, his lungs were weakened, and he ultimately succumbed to pneumonia. His memorial was held at Chung-Ang University Hospital, with the funeral taking place on October 2 at Incheon Family Park. (This is such a sad and unfortunate news… ๐ข)
5. Lasting Legacy ๐
Kim Joo-young left a profound legacy as an actor and a new life as a shaman, touching many lives. He will be especially remembered by historical drama fans!
Recently aired KBS historical drama ‘Star of Joseon’ featured a scene reminiscing about Kim Joo-young’s performances. It was truly moving!
6. Frequently Asked Questions โ
Q: What are Kim Joo-young’s representative works?
A: Notable works include ‘Tears of the Dragon’, ‘Empress Myeongseong’, ‘King Sejong the Great’, and ‘Jeong Do-jeon’. His performance in ‘Jeong Do-jeon’ is considered legendary!
Q: What was the exact reason for becoming a shaman?
A: In interviews, Kim Joo-young explained that he chose the path of a shaman after experiencing “unexplained pain and hearing other voices.”
Q: What were the characteristics of Kim Joo-young’s acting style?
A: He was particularly famous for his intense villainous roles in historical dramas. His tone of voice and facial expressions were very distinctive.
Today, we took the time to remember Kim Joo-young, a shining star in the Korean entertainment industry who lived a remarkable life. His works will continue to inspire us! โจ
