South Korean actor Lee Sun-Kyun, renowned for his role in the critically acclaimed film ‘Parasite’, was found dead on Wednesday in what appeared to be a suicide, News About Nigeria reports.
The 48-year-old actor was found inside a vehicle at a park in central Seoul, according to reports from Yonhap news agency, citing the police.
Lee Sun-kyun had recently come under police investigation for his alleged use of marijuana and other psychoactive drugs.
The scandal led to his removal from ongoing television and commercial projects, which is a downfall for the once-celebrated actor.
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 garnered acclaim for his diverse roles, including that of a charismatic chef and a diligent architectural engineer dealing with marital infidelity.
Internationally, Lee gained widespread recognition for his role as the wealthy and shallow patriarch in director Bong Joon-ho’s 2019 Oscar-winning film ‘Parasite’.
His most recent film, the 2023 horror flick ‘Sleep’, received critical acclaim and was featured in the Critics’ Week section at the Cannes Festival.
However, the actor’s career took a hit after the drug-related scandal, leading to his removal from various projects.
Lee Sun-kyun briefly addressed reporters in late October before meeting with investigators at an Incheon police station, expressing sincere apologies for the disappointment caused by the incident.
South Korea has strict laws regarding illegal drugs, and even citizens who use substances like marijuana legally abroad face potential prosecution upon returning home.
President Yoon Suk Yeol advocated for more strict measures to combat drug trafficking, declaring the country is no longer ‘drug-free’.
Lee Sun-kyun is survived by his wife, actress Jeon Hye-jin, and their two sons.
