Award-winning actor Lee Sun-Kyun, who starred in the Oscar-winning film “Parasite,” died at the age of 48 in his car parked in Seoul Wednesday.
Lee was under police investigation, suspected of using illegal drugs, The New York Times reports.
Lee’s manager reported him missing early on Wednesday, and his body was located later by authorities.
A suicide note was found with Mr. Lee’s body.
Lee Sun-kyun family asked the police to keep his final massage private, the police assured the family they will do that, but of course they lied, police leaked the message to media, and TV Chosun's News 9 exclusively reported the message, breaking so many laws but no consequences pic.twitter.com/Z0q9R5urhp
— KLIFE (@8KLIFE) December 28, 2023
Reuters reported that Lee was survived by award-winning actress Jeon Hye-jin and their two children.
The outlet added:
“Lee’s agency, HODU&U Entertainment, did not respond to calls. However, domestic media cited a statement by the agency that expressed sadness at the death while urging restraint regarding false information, speculation, or malicious reports.”
South Korean actor Lee Sun-kyun, who drew global attention with his performance in the Oscar-winning film 'Parasite,' was found dead following a report that he had gone missing https://t.co/HZcmMob7OI pic.twitter.com/YvsQG25tk2
— Reuters (@Reuters) December 27, 2023
As CNN reported, Police in the city of Incheon confirmed that Lee had been questioned three times since October as part of an investigation into alleged drug use.
Lee had been summoned by Police most recently on December 23 and held for 19 hours before he was released the following day.
Throughout the investigation, Lee’s drug tests had all come back negative, Incheon police said, without specifying how many tests he had taken.
Lee denied the accusations of drug use in multiple statements, claiming he was the target of a blackmail plot.
Following a 19-hour interrogation, Lee said:
“I ask that the police make a good judgment about whose side’s statements are credible between me and the blackmailers.”
The South Korean government has adopted a stringent policy on drugs with convicted drug offenders, with sentences varying from six months to 14 years in prison.
The South Korean entertainment industry faced drug abuse cases such as that of Yoo Ah-in, known for his “Hellbound” role on Netflix, whose home was raided earlier this year after he tested positive for ketamine, cocaine, marijuana, and propofol,
Lee was being investigated for allegations he “used illegal drugs at the residence of a bar hostess. The investigation prompted extensive tabloid coverage,” AP reported.
“Mr. Lee insisted he was tricked into taking the drugs and that he did not know what he was taking,” the outlet noted.
According to Yonhap, Lee tested negative for marijuana and other illegal drugs during police investigations as well as lab-based drug tests by the National Forensic Service in November.
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