Authorities say that a famous South Korean actor best known for his part in the Oscar-winning movie "Parasite," Lee Sun-kyun found deadin a car in Seoul on Wednesday. This came after weeks of a thorough police probe into his alleged drug use.
At first, police and rescue workers found Lee in his parked car on a street in northern Seoul. They thought he was unconscious. According to the Seongbuk police station in Seoul, emergency workers later confirmed that he was dead.
Lee Sun-Kyun wearing a black suit and bow tie Lee Sun-kyun, a South Korean actor best known for his part in the Oscar-winning movie Parasite, was found dead in central Seoul. It looks like he killed himself. The actor's body was found in a car near a city park on Wednesday. He was 48 years old. The Yonhap newsagency says they think Lee killed himself. The police had already said that they had heard he had left his house after writing a note. Since October, the cops have been looking into his use of marijuana and other drugs that make you feel high. Lee had been questioned by police three times plus for 19 hours over the weekend. The star said that a bartender tricked him into taking drugs and then tried to make him pay for it.
South Korea has strict drug laws. People who break these laws can spend at least six months in jail, or up to fourteen years in prison for repeat offenders and drug sellers.
Police found Lee's body in his car near Waryong Park and took it to Seoul National University Hospital. News sources say that his family has refused an autopsy and that he will be buried on Friday.
The police have started an investigation to find out more about his death, such as when he got to the place where his body was found and when he died. In late October, he talked to reporters for a short time before going into an Incheon police station to meet with agents. He told them at the time:
“„I sincerely apologize for causing great disappointment to many people by being involved in such an unpleasant incident. I feel sorry for my family, which is enduring such difficult pain at this moment.- Lee Sun-Kyun
In 2020, Lee was in "Parasite," which won the Oscar for best picture and three other awards. When it came out, the class spoof was the first non-English-language movie to win Best Picture at the Academy Awards. It was also the first South Korean movie to win an Oscar. Lee played the head of a rich family in the movie.
Lee was also in the group that won a Screen ActorsGuild award in 2020 for best motion picture ensemble cast. For his role in the sci-fi movie "Dr. Brain" last year, he was also up for best actor at the International Emmy Awards. Before "Parasite," Lee was already a well-known actress in South Korea. He became famous for his part in the hit TV drama "Coffee Prince" (2007). Other hit TV plays like "Behind the White Tower" (2007), "Pasta" (2010), and "My Mister" (2018) also made him well-known.
South Korea has strict rules against drugs, but the number of drug-related crimes has been rising sharply over the past few years. As of last week, the National Police Agency said it had arrested 17,150 people this year for allegedly making, transporting, selling, or using illegal drugs. This is the most people ever arrested in a single year.
South Korea has had the highest suicide rate among wealthy nations for a long time. Several famous people, including K-pop stars, lawmakers, and business leaders, have also killed themselves there.
Lee Sun-kyun, a South Korean actor who became famous around the world for playing the rich father in the Oscar-winning movie "Parasite," was found dead in a park in Seoul on Wednesday. His death was thought to be a suicide.
Lee was found after his wife told the cops that he had left the house and that she had found what looked like a suicide note.