ACTOR Lee Sun-kyun, best known for his role in the Oscar-winning film Parasite, was found dead in a car in a park in Seoul.
Sun-kyun, 48, was under investigation for suspected drug use at the time of his death.
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Lee Sun-kyun, best known for his role in the Oscar-winning film Parasite, has died Credit: Getty
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Sun-kyun, 48, was under investigation for suspected drug use at the time of his deathCredit: Reuters
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Police found the man – later identified as Sun-kyun – unconscious in a car in a parkCredit: EPA
A man in his 40s was found unconscious in a car in Seoul, South Korea at 10:30 a.m. Wednesday.
Police later identified the unconscious man as Sun-kyun.
Earlier in the day, the police received a tip from the actor’s wife that a farewell note was found in his house and they started looking for him.
Sun-kyun was under investigation on suspicion of using marijuana and other illegal drugs at the time of his death.
Since the beginning of the year, the actor has been repeatedly accused of using illegal drugs in the house of a classy bar hostess.
Sun-kyun claimed that the host blackmailed him into taking drugs.
The actor was negative for drugs in two recent tests, according to the newspaper.
He claimed the unnamed waitress had extorted $270,000 (£212,000) from him.
Before his death, Sun-kyun underwent three rounds of police interrogation, including one session last weekend that lasted 19 hours.
The actor was filmed on December 23 arriving for a police interview.
South Korea’s drug laws are strict, with a typical sentence of six months to 14 years for repeat offenders.
‘EXTREMELY TRAGIC’
South Korean actor Sun-kyun played Dong Ik in the hit film Parasite, which won the 2020 Oscar for Best Picture.
Parasite became the first foreign language film to ever win the coveted category.
Sun-kyun won the 2021 Screen Actors Guild Award for Parasite in the Best Actor in a Motion Picture category.
In addition to Parasite, Sun-kyun was known for his work in the 2014 action film Hard Day and the 2009 drama Paju.
He also starred in 12 episodes of the 2023 crime series Payback, playing the main character Eun Yong.
Tributes poured in for the actor.
“Terrible news. Lee Sun-kyun was one of the best actors working in Korean cinema,” one fan wrote.
“He was wonderful in Parasite. South Korea has a serious suicide problem. It’s unfortunately an all too common story for many celebrities in that country.”
“I saw him in Payback recently too. This is too tragic,” said another fan.
“He was amazing in Parasite and Hard Day. This is utterly tragic,” someone else wrote.
“Lee Sun-kyun was such a great talent in everything I saw him in, but I can’t even imagine any kind of tribute because all I can think of is the tragic and heartbreaking circumstances that led to his death and how this road is so a common story you hear from the industry,” another fan wrote.
Someone else wrote: “His performance in Parasite was phenomenal…so sad to read about his passing. RIP Lee Sun-Kyun.”
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Sun-kyun played Dong Ik in the hit movie ParasiteCredit: CJ Entertainment
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Parasite won the 2020 Oscar for Best Picture Credit: Getty Images – Getty
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Police found Sun-kyun in a car in a park in Seoul, South KoreaCredit: AFP
You are not alone
EVERY 90 minutes in the UK a life is lost to suicide.
It does not discriminate, it touches the lives of people in every corner of society – from the homeless and unemployed to builders and doctors, reality stars and football players.
It is the biggest killer of people under the age of 35, deadlier than cancer and traffic accidents.
And men are three times more likely to take their own lives than women.
Yet it’s rarely talked about, a taboo that threatens to continue its deadly rampage if we don’t all stop and pay attention now.
That’s why The Sun launched the You Are Not Alone campaign.
The aim is that by sharing practical advice, raising awareness and breaking down the barriers people face when talking about their mental health, we can all help save lives.
Let’s all pledge to ask for help when we need it, and listen to others… You are not alone.
If you or anyone you know needs help with mental health issues, the following organizations offer support:
- CALM, www.thecalmzone.net, 0800 585 858
- Heads Together, www.headstogether.org.uk
- Mind, www.mind.org.uk, 0300 123 3393
- Papyrus, www.papyrus-uk.org, 0800 068 41 41
- Samaritans, www.samaritans.org, 116 123
- Movember, www.uk.movember.com
- Anxiety UK www.anxietyuk.org.uk, 03444 775 774 Monday-Friday 9.30am-10pm, Saturday/Sunday 10am-8pm
Categories: Optical Illusion
Source: HIS Education