On February 27, 2025, Kang Myung-joo, known for her role as a judge in ENA's 2002 hit Korean legal drama Extraordinary Attorney Woo, passed away after a battle with cancer. The actress was 54-years-old.
Her daughter, actress Park Se-young, shared the update in a heartfelt post on her social media (SNS), writing, "My mom left us yesterday afternoon. We would appreciate it if you could remember the stage she loved and the moments she shone."
Park Se-young's funeral service will be held at Seoul St. Mary's Hospital, with the burial scheduled for 7:40 AM on Sunday, March 2. Her husband, actor Park Yun-hee, and their two daughters are listed as the family members attending.
About Kang Myung-joo's Acting Career
Kang Myung-joo was a talented actress who made her mark in both television and theater. She made her acting debut in 1992 as part of the experimental theater troupe with the play, Kooni, Nara, and went on to perform in various plays such as Circle of Lite, Hamlet (as Gu Il Man), Humans or Gods, and Coriolanus. More recently, she continued to grace the theater, with performances for BEA and 20th Century Blues.
In addition to her experiences in theater, Kang Myung-joo gained global recognition for portraying a judge in Extraordinary Attorney Woo, which was made available to stream on Netflix in 2022. Her performance in the show earned her a new generation of fans and critical acclaim.
Along with Kang Myung-joo, Extraordinary Attorney also starred Park Eun-bin, Kang Tae-oh, Kang Ki-young, Jeon Bae-soo, Tom Choi, Halley Kim, Han Yoon-kyung, Ren Hanami, Joo Jong-hyuk, and many others. The legal drama series aired for 16 episodes, and set the record for the highest ratings in ENA history.Last year, Kang Myung-joo played Kang Ja-kyung in the KBS Drama Special 2024, Around the Corner.
May Kang Myung-joo rest in peace.
