Award-winning actress Kim Ja-ock dies of cancer at 63

Kim Ja-ock, an award-winning South Korean actress, died Sunday of lung cancer. She was 63 years old.

Kim had starred in a series of hit films and television dramas since her debut in 1970. She remained a fixture in TV shows and commercials well past her 50s, and also released an album in 1996 to briefly dabble at a singing career.

Kim underwent successful surgery for colorectal cancer in April 2008 and resumed acting the following month. Industry sources said cancer had spread to her lungs recently, leading to her hospitalization.

Kim garnered multiple awards for her acting in films in the 1970s and had enjoyed a career renaissance since the turn of the millennium with critically acclaimed performances in TV series.

She is survived by her husband, recording artist Oh Seung-keun, and two children.

Her funeral will be held Wednesday in Seoul. (Yonhap)