Seoul: South Korean actor Lee Sun Kyun, who rose to international fame for his role in the Oscar-winning film ‘Parasite’, was found dead in his car on Wednesday, December 27, 2023. He was 48 years old.
According to the Seoul Seongbuk Police Station, Lee’s body was discovered by paramedics near a park in the Jongno district of Seoul around 9 a.m. local time. The police said they received a report from Lee’s wife, actress Jeon Hye Jin, who claimed that Lee had left their home after leaving a note that seemed to indicate his intention to end his life.
The police also said they found burnt charcoal briquettes inside Lee’s car, which is a common method of suicide by carbon monoxide poisoning in South Korea. The police have not confirmed the exact cause of death, but they suspect that Lee took his own life.
Lee’s death shocked the entertainment industry and his fans, as he was one of the most respected and versatile actors in South Korea. He had a long and successful career in film, television, and theater, starring in acclaimed works such as ‘Paju’, ‘Helpless’, ‘A Hard Day’, ‘My Mister’, and ‘Coffee Prince’. He gained worldwide recognition for his portrayal of Park Dong Ik, the wealthy patriarch of the Park family, in Bong Joon Ho’s ‘Parasite’, which won four Academy Awards in 2020, including Best Picture.
However, Lee’s reputation was tarnished by a recent drug scandal that emerged in October 2023, when he was accused of using marijuana and psychoactive drugs with a third-generation chaebol heiress, Hwang Ha Na, who had a history of drug abuse and was previously involved with JYJ’s Yoochun. Lee was summoned by the Incheon Metropolitan Police Agency for questioning, where he denied knowingly taking any illegal substances. He claimed that he had snorted what he thought were sleeping pills through a straw, but later realized that they were drugs. He also said that he had no relationship with Hwang and that he had met her only once through a mutual acquaintance.
Lee’s agency, HODU&U Entertainment, issued a statement on October 23, 2023, apologizing for the controversy and promising to cooperate with the investigation. Lee also filed a complaint against an individual, identified as A, who had allegedly blackmailed and threatened him over his drug use. The agency said that they would take legal action against any false or malicious rumors about Lee.
However, Lee’s explanation did not convince the public, who criticized him for his involvement in the drug case and questioned his credibility. Some netizens also speculated that Lee’s wife had sold a building at a loss to pay off the blackmail money, which the agency denied. Lee’s image and career suffered a severe blow, as he lost several endorsement deals and had to withdraw from his upcoming projects, such as the drama ‘Prosecutor Civil War’ and the film ‘Shooting Stars’.
Lee’s death has sparked a wave of grief and condolences from his colleagues and fans, who expressed their sadness and disbelief over the tragic news. Many celebrities, such as Gong Yoo, Kim Hee Ae, Yoo Jae Suk, and Bong Joon Ho, have visited Lee’s mortuary to pay their respects. Lee’s funeral will be held privately on December 29, 2023, with only his family and close friends in attendance.
