Renowned South Korean actor Lee Sun-kyun, recognized for his notable role in the acclaimed film “Parasite,” tragically passed away on Wednesday morning at the age of 48, as reported by the Associated Press and the South Korean news agency Yonhap.
Authorities discovered Lee’s lifeless body inside a car at a central Seoul park, the AP confirmed. His family had alerted the police about his disappearance earlier that day, citing a suicide note purportedly left by Lee before he departed from home.
The late actor had been the subject of a recent police inquiry regarding alleged involvement in illicit drug usage. The Incheon Metropolitan Police Agency in South Korea had been conducting an investigation into Lee and seven others over suspected drug-related activities. Allegedly, Lee became a target of extortion by an individual under investigation, resulting in substantial financial losses. Reports from Yonhap indicate that Lee was questioned by the police multiple times, most recently on the preceding Saturday, regarding accusations of marijuana and other drug use at the residence of a high-end bar hostess in Seoul earlier in the year. Lee asserted that he was deceived and unaware of the substances he had consumed.
Lee Sun-kyun gained widespread recognition for his role in the critically acclaimed movie “Parasite,” which secured four Academy Awards in 2020, including Best Picture, Director for Bong Joon-ho, Original Screenplay, and International Feature Film for South Korea. The film also clinched the prestigious Palme d’Or at the Cannes Film Festival, marking a significant milestone as the first South Korean film to achieve this honor. Lee and the “Parasite” ensemble received a Screen Actors Guild award for Outstanding Performance by a Cast in a Motion Picture.
In the film, Lee portrayed Park Dong-ik, the patriarch of the affluent Park family, unknowingly hiring members of the scheming, impoverished Kim family to work in his household. The movie’s climax involves Kim Ki-taek (played by Song Kang-ho) fatally attacking Mr. Park during his son’s birthday celebration, exposing the truth behind the facade.
Following his breakthrough in “Parasite,” Lee Sun-kyun expanded his portfolio with notable projects, including starring in the inaugural South Korean series on Apple TV+ titled “Dr. Brain.” His performance garnered a nomination for Best Actor at the 2022 International Emmy Awards. Additionally, he contributed to various South Korean productions such as “Payback,” “Diary of a Prosecutor,” “My Mister,” “Killing Romance,” and “Kingmaker” throughout the 2000s and 2010s.
Lee’s prominent presence in Korean cinema extended to recent appearances at Cannes Film Festival, where he featured in “Project Silence” and “Sleep.” Notably, the latter emerged as a box office success in South Korea, topping charts for three consecutive weeks after its commercial release in September.
The late actor is survived by his spouse, fellow actor Jeon Hye-jin, and their two children.
Renowned South Korean actor Lee Sun-kyun, recognized for his notable role in the acclaimed film “Parasite,” tragically passed away on Wednesday morning at the age of 48, as reported by the Associated Press and the South Korean news agency Yonhap.
Authorities discovered Lee’s lifeless body inside a car at a central Seoul park, the AP confirmed. His family had alerted the police about his disappearance earlier that day, citing a suicide note purportedly left by Lee before he departed from home.
The late actor had been the subject of a recent police inquiry regarding alleged involvement in illicit drug usage. The Incheon Metropolitan Police Agency in South Korea had been conducting an investigation into Lee and seven others over suspected drug-related activities. Allegedly, Lee became a target of extortion by an individual under investigation, resulting in substantial financial losses. Reports from Yonhap indicate that Lee was questioned by the police multiple times, most recently on the preceding Saturday, regarding accusations of marijuana and other drug use at the residence of a high-end bar hostess in Seoul earlier in the year. Lee asserted that he was deceived and unaware of the substances he had consumed.
Lee Sun-kyun gained widespread recognition for his role in the critically acclaimed movie “Parasite,” which secured four Academy Awards in 2020, including Best Picture, Director for Bong Joon-ho, Original Screenplay, and International Feature Film for South Korea. The film also clinched the prestigious Palme d’Or at the Cannes Film Festival, marking a significant milestone as the first South Korean film to achieve this honor. Lee and the “Parasite” ensemble received a Screen Actors Guild award for Outstanding Performance by a Cast in a Motion Picture.
In the film, Lee portrayed Park Dong-ik, the patriarch of the affluent Park family, unknowingly hiring mem
