In Seoul, South Korea, Lee Sun-kyun, a renowned actor recognized for his role in the Oscar-winning film “Parasite,” was discovered deceased in a car on Wednesday amid an intense police inquiry into alleged drug use.
Initially found in what appeared to be an unconscious state, emergency personnel later confirmed Lee’s death in the parked car on a northern Seoul street, as reported by Seoul’s Seongbuk police station. Lee, 48, had been the subject of a missing person report, prompting the search by authorities.
While details remain undisclosed, including any determination on whether Lee took his own life, reports from South Korean media, including Yonhap news agency, suggest that Lee’s family informed the police earlier in the day, reporting his departure after leaving a message akin to a suicide note.
Lee, notable for his role in “Parasite,” the groundbreaking film that secured Oscars in multiple categories in 2020, played a pivotal role as the head of a wealthy family in the class satire. Beyond his success with “Parasite,” Lee had long been a beloved figure in South Korea, achieving stardom with roles in TV dramas such as “Coffee Prince (2007),” “Behind The White Tower (2007),” “Pasta (2010),” and “My Mister (2018).”
Under investigation for alleged drug use at a bar hostess’s residence, Lee consistently asserted that he was deceived into taking the substances, unaware of their nature. Despite filing a lawsuit against two individuals, including the hostess, accusing them of blackmail, Lee faced intense media scrutiny, with rumors circulating about both his alleged drug use and private life.
In the wake of Lee’s passing, the police declared an end to their investigation into the drug use allegations but vowed to continue probing the individuals sued by Lee. South Korea, grappling with a surge in drug-related offenses, has strict anti-drug laws, and the National Police Agency reported a record number of detentions related to illegal drug activities this year.
Tragically, South Korea has long struggled with a high suicide rate, exacerbated by a series of celebrity suicides, including K-pop stars, politicians, and business executives. Experts attribute these incidents to malicious online comments and severe cyberbullying, factors that may have contributed to Lee’s challenges.
Kang Youn-gon, a media communication professor at Seoul’s Chung-Ang University, expressed concern about the assertive media coverage of Lee’s private life and unverified allegations. Lee is survived by his wife, actress Jeon Hye-jin, and their two sons.