South Korean actor Lee Sun-kyun, renowned for his role in the Oscar-winning film “Parasite,” has been found dead at the age of 48 in what appears to be a suicide, according to reports from Yonhap news agency.
Authorities discovered the actor inside a vehicle in a central Seoul park, with initial investigations pointing towards suicide, as reported by Yonhap, citing information from the police.
Lee had been under police scrutiny due to allegations of using marijuana and other psychoactive drugs. Once celebrated for his wholesome image, local news sources revealed that the actor was facing repercussions, being dropped from television and commercial projects in the wake of the scandal.
A graduate of South Korea’s prestigious Korea National University of Arts, Lee began his acting career in 2001 with a television sitcom titled “Lovers.” Over the years, he earned acclaim for his diverse roles, portraying characters such as a charismatic chef and a dedicated architectural engineer discovering infidelity in his marriage.
Internationally, Lee gained widespread recognition for his portrayal of the wealthy and superficial patriarch in director Bong Joon-ho’s 2019 Oscar-winning film “Parasite.”
His latest film, the 2023 horror flick “Sleep,” where he played a husband whose sleepwalking leads to harrowing consequences, received critical acclaim and was featured in the Critics’ Week section at the Cannes festival.
In late October, Lee addressed reporters before meeting with investigators at an Incheon police station, expressing sincere apologies for causing disappointment and acknowledging the difficulties faced by his family.
South Korea maintains strict laws regarding illegal drugs, with even citizens legally using substances like marijuana abroad risking prosecution upon their return. This year, President Yoon Suk Yeol called for enhanced measures to combat drug trafficking, emphasising that the country was no longer “drug-free.”
Lee Sun-kyun is survived by his wife, actress Jeon Hye-jin, and their two sons.