South Korean Actor Lee Sun-kyun Found Dead in Apparent Suicide
South Korean actor Lee Sun-kyun, known for his role in the Oscar-winning film "Parasite," was found dead in an apparent suicide in a Seoul park on Wednesday, according to officials in the capital. Lee, 48, gained global recognition for his performance as the wealthy patriarch in the 2019 film, which was South Korea's first to win an Oscar.
Lee had faced police questioning three times over accusations of illegal drug use amid a government crackdown. He claimed to have been tricked into taking drugs by a bar hostess attempting to blackmail him. Authorities discovered Lee's body in a car at a park in Seoul after his manager reported him missing and left behind an apparent suicide note.
The actor's agency, HODU&U Entertainment, expressed sadness at Lee's death and urged restraint regarding false information, speculation, or malicious reports. Lee's death highlights the personal struggles faced by individuals in the entertainment industry, as well as the impact of legal issues on public figures.
"Parasite," a dark-comedy thriller directed by Bong Joon-ho, won the Academy Award for Best Picture in 2020 and received critical acclaim globally. Lee played the character of Mr. Park in the film, which explored class disparities through a complex narrative involving a lower-class family infiltrating the home of an affluent family.
Lee Sun-kyun had a successful career in South Korean cinema and television, with leading roles in films such as "Helpless" (2012) and "All About My Wife" (2014), as well as the TV series "My Mister" (2018). He also played the lead role in Apple TV+'s first Korean-language original series, "Dr. Brain," a sci-fi thriller released in 2021.
Lee is survived by his wife, award-winning actress Jeon Hye-jin, and their two children. His death is a significant loss to the South Korean entertainment industry, and it has sparked discussions about mental health and the challenges faced by individuals in the public eye.
