Tragedy struck the entertainment world as Lee Sun-kyun, the acclaimed South Korean actor renowned for his compelling portrayal in the Oscar-winning film Parasite, was found dead at the age of 48.
Authorities confirmed the actor’s passing after he was discovered unconscious in a car within one of Seoul’s prominent parks on Wednesday.
While the circumstances surrounding his death remain unclear, the police disclosed that they received a report indicating Lee had left home after leaving a note.
Notably, the actor had been under investigation for alleged drug use since October, adding an element of complexity to the unfolding narrative.
In Parasite, Lee Sun-kyun brought life to the role of the patriarch in the affluent Park family, a performance that contributed to the film securing four Oscars, including the prestigious Best Picture award.
However, recent events had cast a shadow on his career, as he faced allegations of drug use, specifically involving substances like marijuana and ketamine.
Yonhap news agency reported suspicions that Lee was involved in drug consumption with a hostess at a bar in Seoul.
Although he admitted to taking substances given to him, he claimed ignorance of their illicit nature.
Despite negative or inconclusive results in his drug tests, the actor had been subject to intense investigations, enduring lengthy questioning sessions.
In the wake of Lee’s tragic demise, his agency, HODU&U Entertainment, issued a statement appealing for the public to refrain from spreading misinformation based on speculation.
The actor, who had been married to actress Jeon Hye-jin and was a father to two young sons, had a career spanning over two decades, becoming a household name in South Korea.
Lee Sun-kyun’s international acclaim soared with Parasite, which marked a milestone as the first non-English language film to secure the Best Picture Oscar.
However, the alleged drug-related controversies had taken a toll on his professional standing, leading to repercussions such as his removal from the TV series No Way Out and the removal of promotional materials featuring him from various establishments.
South Korea, known for holding celebrities to high standards of propriety, has intensified efforts to combat drug-related crimes, with President Yoon Suk Yeol vowing a crackdown.
Lee’s untimely death adds another chapter to the ongoing discussions about the challenges and consequences faced by celebrities in the face of legal scrutiny and societal expectations in the country’s entertainment industry.
