South Korean actor Lee Sun-kyun, who starred in the Oscar-winning film Parasite, was found dead in a car in Seoul on Wednesday in an apparent suicide, police said.
Suicide note found
According to the police, Lee Sun-kyun’s body was discovered by a passerby at around 10 a.m. in a parked car at a park in central Seoul. The police said they found a suicide note inside the car, in which Lee apologized to his family and fans and denied any involvement in drug use.
Lee had been under investigation for alleged drug consumption since October, when he filed a complaint against two people, including a hostess working at a high-end bar in Seoul’s Gangnam district, for blackmailing him with evidence of his drug use. Lee Sun-kyun claimed he was tricked by the hostess into taking the drugs and that he did not know what he was taking.
Lee tested negative in both the brief reagent test conducted during police investigations and the elaborate drug test by the National Forensic Service last month. However, the police said they had obtained additional evidence, such as CCTV footage and phone records, that suggested Lee had used drugs on multiple occasions since early this year.
Lee underwent a 19-hour police questioning on Saturday, which was the third and final round of interrogation. The police said they were planning to request an arrest warrant for Lee this week.
Career and achievements
Lee, 48, was one of the most popular and acclaimed actors in South Korea, with a career spanning over two decades. He began his career in musical theatre and later appeared in various TV dramas and films, mostly in supporting roles.
He rose to fame in 2007 with his role in the hit TV series Coffee Prince and went on to star in other successful dramas, such as Pasta (2010), Golden Time (2012), and My Mister (2018). He also received several awards for his performances in films, such as Paju (2009), Helpless (2012), All About My Wife (2012), and A Hard Day (2014).
Internationally, he was best known for his role in Bong Joon-ho’s black comedy film Parasite, which won four Oscars, including Best Picture, in 2020. Lee played the role of Park Dong-ik, the wealthy patriarch of the Park family, who unknowingly hires a poor family as their servants. Lee and his castmates won a Screen Actors Guild Award for Outstanding Performance by a Cast in a Motion Picture. They were nominated for an International Emmy Award for Best Drama Series.
Lee married actress Jeon Hye-jin, with whom he had two sons. He was also known for his philanthropic activities, such as donating to various causes, including COVID-19 relief efforts and environmental protection.
Reactions and condolences
The news of Lee’s death shocked and saddened the entertainment industry and the public, as he was widely respected and admired for his talent and professionalism. Many celebrities and fans expressed their condolences and grief on social media and called for more attention and support for mental health issues.
The production companies of Lee’s upcoming projects, such as the Netflix series Hellbound and the film The Silent Sea, also issued statements of mourning and respect and said they would adjust their schedules accordingly.
Lee’s agency, Hodu&U Entertainment, said they were devastated by the tragic news and asked for privacy for his family and friends. They said they would announce the details of his funeral later.