Kim Ji-mi, one of the most iconic figures in Korean cinema as both an actress and a producer, has passed away at the age of 85.

According to the Korean Film Council and related industry groups on the 10th, preparations for a film industry funeral are underway, and she is reported to have died in the United States after battling shingles for several months.

Debuting in 1957 with Twilight Train, Kim appeared in approximately 450 films, becoming a defining star of Korean cinema’s golden era throughout the 1960s and 1970s.

In the 1980s, she founded Jimi Film, producing major works such as Gilsotteum and Ticket, further cementing her influence as a producer.

She also served as president of the Korea Film Actors’ Association and as a member of the Korean Film Council, earning recognition for her significant contributions to building the foundation of the Korean film industry.