The South Korean actor Lee Sun-kyun, known for his role in the Oscar-winning film "Parasite," was discovered deceased in a car at a park in Seoul on Wednesday in what appears to be a case of suicide, according to authorities in the South Korean capital. This tragic incident occurred after he was reported missing.
At the age of 48, Lee, who portrayed the patriarch of an affluent family in the 2019 movie, underwent extensive police interrogation on three separate occasions due to allegations of illicit drug usage. These inquiries occurred as part of a government-led crackdown, with one of the sessions lasting a staggering 19 hours over the weekend.
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According to the Yonhap news agency, the actor claimed that he had been deceived into consuming drugs by a bar hostess who was attempting to extort him.
At first, police and emergency personnel came across Lee in what appeared to be an unresponsive condition inside a vehicle parked on a street in northern Seoul. Subsequently, emergency responders confirmed his passing, as reported by Seoul's Seongbuk police station.
Seongbuk police stated that they initiated a search for Lee, aged 48, upon receiving a report indicating his disappearance. The cause of death is “presumed to be suicide,” police said.
Lee's agency, HODU&U Entertainment, said in a statement: "There is no way to contain the sorrow and despair. We respectfully ask that you refrain from spreading false facts based on speculation... so that [Lee's] final journey will not be unfair."
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Lee played a significant role in "Parasite," the film that earned Oscars for best picture and three other awards in 2020. This satirical masterpiece marked a historic moment as the first non-English-language film to ever secure the best picture category in the Academy Awards' 92-year history. Additionally, it was a groundbreaking achievement for South Korean cinema, being the first South Korean movie to clinch an Oscar. In the movie, Lee portrayed the patriarch of an affluent family.
In 2021, he received a Screen Actors Guild award in the "cast in a motion picture" category for his role in the same film. Additionally, he garnered a nomination for best actor at the International Emmy Awards for his performance in the sci-fi thriller "Dr. Brain" during the previous year.
With a career in acting that spanned over two decades, Lee Sun-kyun, who was married to actress Jeon Hye-jin and had two sons with her, left a significant mark in the entertainment industry.
Prior to his role in "Parasite," Lee had already established himself as a highly regarded actor in South Korea. He achieved fame through his performance in the successful TV drama series "Coffee Prince (2007)" and further solidified his status with prominent roles in the medical drama "Behind The White Tower (2007)," "Pasta (2010)," and "My Mister (2018)."
Lee had been subjected to police investigations regarding allegations of drug use at a bar hostess's place of residence, which garnered significant attention in tabloid news. Lee maintained that he had been deceived into consuming the drugs and was unaware of their nature, as reported by Yonhap.
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The scandal resulted in Lee losing several acting opportunities, as reported by AFP. Reuters noted that in South Korea, a first-time conviction for drug use can lead to a six-month jail sentence, while repeat offenders could face up to 14 years in prison. South Korea's legal framework is stringent to the extent that even South Koreans who legally consume drugs abroad may face prosecution upon their return home, as highlighted by AFP.
