SEOUL, South Korea — Actor Lee Sun-kyun of the Oscar-winning film “Parasite” has died, South Korea’s emergency workplace confirmed to The Associated Press on Wednesday.
Lee was discovered lifeless in a automotive in a central Seoul park on Wednesday, it mentioned. Police earlier mentioned an unconscious Lee was found at an unidentified Seoul location.
South Korean media retailers together with Yonhap information company reported that police had been trying to find Lee after his household reported him lacking after writing a message much like a suicide be aware earlier Wednesday. According to the information company, a charcoal briquette was found in the passenger seat of the automotive.
Lee was finest recognized for his function in “Parasite,” in which he performed the pinnacle of a rich household. In 2021, he gained a Screen Actors Guild award for “cast in a motion picture” for his function in the identical movie.
He was nominated for the perfect actor on the International Emmy Awards for his efficiency in the sci-fi thriller “Dr. Brain” final 12 months.
Lee was a well-known determine on Korean screens for many years earlier than his “Parasite” fame overseas. He grew to become well-known for his function in a preferred drama collection, “Coffee Prince (2007),” and gained mainstream reputation with the medical drama “Behind The White Tower,” adopted by “Pasta (2010)” and My Mister (2018).”
Lee had been under a police investigation into allegations that he used illegal drugs at the residence of a bar hostess. Lee insisted he was tricked into taking the drugs and that he did not know what he was taking, according to Yonhap. But the investigation prompted extensive tabloid coverage and unconfirmed online rumors about not only his alleged drug use but also his private life. Lee filed a suit against two people including the hostess, alleging they blackmailed him.
When he was first summoned for questioning at a police station in Incheon, a city near Seoul, in late October, he deeply bowed several times and apologized to his fans and family. “I feel sorry to my family members who are enduring too difficult pains at this moment. I again sincerely apologize to everyone,” he said.
Incheon police said Wednesday they would end their investigation of Lee’s drug use allegations but would continue to investigate the two people Lee had sued.
South Korea has strict anti-drug laws but has seen soaring drug-related offenses in recent years. Last week, the National Police Agency said it had detained about 17,150 people over alleged illegal drug manufacturing, smuggling, sales and uses this year — a record number for a single year.
South Korea has long had the highest suicide rate among developed countries. It has also experienced a string of celebrity suicides involving K-pop stars, prominent politicians and business executives. Experts say malicious and abusive online comments and severe cyberbullying were blamed for many of the celebrity suicides.
“Lee faced some allegations but they haven’t been formally verified. But the media has been assertively reporting about Lee’s private life … and I think that’s something wrong,” said Kang Youn-gon, a media communication professor at Seoul’s Chung-Ang University.
Lee is survived by his actress wife Jeon Hye-jin and two sons.
If you or somebody you understand could also be scuffling with suicidal ideas, you may name or textual content the U.S. National Suicide Prevention Lifeline at 988 any time day or night time, or chat on-line at 988lifeline.org.
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