Renowned South Korean actor Lee Sun-kyun, famous for his role in the Oscar-winning film “Parasite,” was discovered dead on Wednesday in what appears to be a case of suicide, according to Yonhap news agency. The 48-year-old actor’s lifeless body was found inside a vehicle parked in central Seoul, as reported by Yonhap, citing information from the police.
Lee had been facing a police inquiry regarding his alleged involvement with marijuana and other psychoactive substances. Once admired for his wholesome public image, local news sources indicated that the actor was being removed from television and commercial projects in the aftermath of the scandal.
A graduate of South Korea’s prestigious Korea National University of Arts, Lee began his acting career in 2001 with a role in the television sitcom “Lovers.” Over the years, he gained recognition for his diverse performances, including a captivating chef and a dedicated architectural engineer grappling with marital infidelity.
Internationally, Lee achieved widespread recognition for his portrayal of the affluent and superficial patriarch in director Bong Joon-ho’s critically acclaimed 2019 film “Parasite.”
His final film, this year’s horror production “Sleep,” where he played a husband whose sleepwalking leads to harrowing consequences, received positive reviews and was featured in the Critics’ Week section at the Cannes festival.
In late October, Lee briefly addressed reporters before meeting with investigators at an Incheon police station, expressing remorse for the disappointment caused by his involvement in the unfortunate incident. He apologized to the public and expressed sorrow for the hardship endured by his family.
South Korea maintains strict regulations concerning illegal drugs, with citizens who use substances like marijuana legally abroad facing potential prosecution upon their return. This year, President Yoon Suk Yeol called for more rigorous measures to combat drug trafficking, asserting that the country was no longer “drug-free.”
Lee Sun-kyun is survived by his wife, actress Jeon Hye-jin, and their two sons.