In a heartbreaking turn of events, South Korean actor Lee Sun-Kyun, acclaimed for his role in the 2020 Oscar-winning film 'Parasite,' has been discovered dead, as reported by the police. The 48-year-old actor was found unconscious in a car at a park in central Seoul on Wednesday.
The circumstances surrounding Lee's death remain unclear, and while it is uncertain if he took his own life, the police received a report indicating that he had left home after leaving a note. Lee had been under investigation since October for alleged drug use. Reports suggested he was suspected of taking drugs with an employee at a bar in Seoul, though he claimed to be unaware that the substances were illicit.
Despite the investigations and the considerable damage to Lee's reputation, his drug tests had returned negative or inconclusive results. The actor had expressed his intent to take a lie detector test, emphasizing his innocence. The police expressed regret over Lee's demise amid the ongoing investigations, assuring that the inquiries were conducted with his consent.
Lee's agency, HODU&U Entertainment, issued a statement, urging the public to refrain from spreading false information based on speculation. The actor, survived by his wife, actress Jeon Hye-jin, and their two sons, had a career spanning over two decades. He gained international acclaim for his role as Park Dong-ik in 'Parasite,' portraying the father in the affluent Park family infiltrated by members of a poor family posing as unrelated individuals.
The investigation had taken a toll on Lee's career, resulting in his removal from the cast of 'No Way Out,' a mystery TV series that commenced filming in October. The entertainment industry mourns the loss of a talented actor, and questions surrounding his death underscore the delicate nature of mental health and the impact of public scrutiny on individuals in the spotlight.