Entertainment
Parasite actor Lee Sun-kyun dies aged 48-Pierra Willix-Entertainment – Metro
He was recently under investigation for drug offences.
Parasite actor Lee Sun-kyun has died aged 48 (Picture: Reuters)
South Korean actor Lee Sun-kyun, best known for his role in Oscar-winning film Parasite, has died aged 48.
The actor was found unconscious in a car in one of Seoul’s main parks on Wednesday.
It is unclear if Lee took his own life, but police said they received a report that he had left home after writing a note, as reported by the BBC.
He had been under investigation for alleged drug use since October.
News outlet Yonhap reported that he was suspected of taking drugs such as marijuana and ketamine with a hostess at a bar in Seoul.
However had had claimed that while he took what she gave him, he had not known that they were illicit drugs.
The hostess reportedly told the police that he used drugs at her home multiple times – something he denied.
He had earlier requested through his lawyer to take a lie detector test.
His drug tests had returned negative or inconclusive results, the report added.
Police said they regretted Lee had died in the midst of investigations, but that the investigation had been ‘conducted with [his] consent’, News1 Korea reported.
Lee’s agency, HODU&U Entertainment, said in a statement: ‘There is no way to contain the sorrow and despair. We respectfully ask that you refrain from spreading false facts based on speculation… so that [Lee’s] final journey will not be unfair.’
The actor, who was married to actress Jeon Hye-jin and had two young sons with her, had a career spanning more than two decades.
He starred as the lead in many films and TV shows, becoming a household name in the past decade.
He rose to international fame as Park Dong-ik in Parasite, the father in the wealthy Park family which becomes infiltrated by members of a poor family posing as unrelated individuals.
The film swept four awards at the Oscars in 2020, including Best Picture, becoming the first non-English language film to win the prize.
The actor had a squeaky-clean, family-man image prior to his alleged drug use, but reports that emerged from the investigation caused considerable damage to his reputation.
He was then dropped from No Way Out, a mystery TV series that began shooting in October.
Drug offences, including those involving usage of marijuana, are considered serious crimes in South Korea.
Consumption of marijuana carries prison sentences of up to five years.
Got a story?
If you’ve got a celebrity story, video or pictures get in touch with the Metro.co.uk entertainment team by emailing us celebtips@metro.co.uk, calling 020 3615 2145 or by visiting our Submit Stuff page – we’d love to hear from you.
MORE : Restaurateur and TV chef Bill Granger dies aged 54 on Christmas Day
Entertainment – MetroRead More
