Parasite Actor Lee Sun-kyun Found Dead Among Drug Allegations

Lee Sun-kyun, the actor who starred in the Oscar-winning film Parasite, has passed away, according to multiple reports. He was 48 years old.

Lee was found dead Wednesday in a car in a park in Seoul, the Associated Press reports. The news agency reported that police were looking for Lee after his family said he left what appeared to be a farewell letter.

According to Yonhap News Agency, Lee was found with a charcoal briquette in the passenger seat and was pronounced dead at the scene. His death comes amid an investigation into illegal drug use, The Washington Post reports.

(L-R) Song Kang-ho, Cho Yeo-jeong, Lee Sun-kyun, Park So-dam and “Parasite” director Bong Joon-ho at the 92nd Academy Awards.

Jeff Kravitz/FilmMagic

Tribute to celebrities who died in 2023

Yonhap news agency said police questioned him three times after he allegedly used illegal drugs, including marijuana, at the home of a hostess who works at a club in the Gangnam district. Lee denied the charges through his attorney, according to the statement The Washington Post.

The actor claimed he was tricked into taking drugs by a female host who tried to blackmail him, according to Reuters, which said Lee’s last police interrogation took place over the weekend and lasted 7 hours.

According to the Yonhap news agency, he also underwent a short reagent test and a drug laboratory test by the National Forensic Service last month, which came back negative.

Lee played the head of the wealthy Park family in “Parasite,” which took home the Oscar for Best Picture at the 92nd Academy Awards. The South Korean film made history by becoming the first non-English language film to win Best Picture.

Charlize Theron, Tom Hanks and more stars sing for Oscar winner’s ‘Parasite’ speech after playing

Lee Sun-kyun.

Neon/Everett

It also became the first film to win the Academy Awards for Best International Feature Film and Best Picture.

“Since the film won the Palme d’Or at Cannes, we were hoping that the film would get some recognition at the Oscars, because it was the first Korean film that even had a chance,” Lee told HollywoodChicago.com as he reflected on his experience. working on the film in an interview published in October. ended. You can’t imagine how surprised and excited we were when they named the film the best film. I’ll never forget it,” he added.

Never miss a story — sign up for PEOPLE’s free daily newsletter to stay up-to-date on the best PEOPLE has to offer, from celebrity news to compelling human interest stories

According to Reuters, he has also had leading roles in films such as Helpless and All about my wife and starred in Apple TV+’s first Korean-language original series, Dr. Brain.

If you or someone you know is thinking about suicide, contact the 988 Suicide and Crisis Line by dialing 988, texting “STRENGTH” to the Crisis Line at 741741 or going to 988lifeline.org.

Categories: Trends
Source: HIS Education