Actor Lee Sun-kyun of Oscar-winning film ‘Parasite’ Passes Away

Actor Lee Sun-kyun, renowned for his role in the Oscar-winning film “Parasite,” was found dead on Wednesday in what appears to be a suicide, according to Yonhap news agency. The police discovered the actor inside a vehicle at a park in central Seoul. This unfortunate incident occurred while the 48-year-old was under investigation by the police for possible marijuana and other psychotropic substance use.

Lee had faced police questioning three times over allegations of illegal drug use, amidst a government crackdown. One of the sessions lasted 19 hours over the weekend. He claimed that he had been deceived into taking drugs by a bar hostess attempting to blackmail him, as reported by the Yonhap news agency.

Authorities found Lee during a search prompted by a report that he was missing, as confirmed by a fire official who spoke to Reuters on condition of anonymity due to the sensitivity of the matter. Earlier, Yonhap had reported that Lee was discovered in a car at a park in Seoul after his manager informed the police that the actor had left home, leaving behind an apparent suicide note. Initially, it was his wife who reported the incident.

South Korea has strict drug laws, with severe violations carrying a maximum sentence of 14 years in prison for repeat offenders and dealers, or six months in detention.

“Parasite,” a dark-comedy thriller directed by Bong Joon-ho, achieved tremendous success and recognition. It won the Academy Award in 2020 in four categories: Best Picture, Best Director, Best Original Screenplay, and Best International Feature Film, out of its six Oscar nominations. The film also received the Palme d’Or at the Cannes Film Festival, making it the first South Korean film to receive this prestigious honor. Lee and the cast of “Parasite” were awarded the Screen Actors Guild award for Outstanding Performance by a Cast in a Motion Picture.

In the film, Lee portrayed the character of Mr. Park, whose affluent home is infiltrated by members of a lower-class family posing as highly qualified domestic workers, leading to a gripping and tragic outcome.

Born in 1975, Lee played leading roles in other South Korean films such as the 2012 thriller “Helpless” and 2014’s “All About My Wife.” He also starred in Apple TV’s first Korean-language original series, “Dr. Brain,” which premiered in 2021. The six-episode sci-fi thriller follows the story of a cold-hearted neurologist who embarks on brain experiments to uncover the truth behind a mysterious family accident.

Lee was married to award-winning actress Jeon Hye-jin, and the couple had two children.

It is truly tragic to lose such a talented actor like Lee Sun-kyun. His contributions to the film industry, particularly his memorable performances in “Parasite” and other notable works, will be remembered and cherished by audiences worldwide.

(With inputs from Reuters, AP, AFP)

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