Lee Sun-kyun
Lee Sun-kyun, the accomplished South Korean actor renowned for his roles in Bong Joon Ho’s Academy Award-winning film Parasite and the Apple TV+ series Dr. Brain, has tragically passed away at the age of 48, in what appears to be a case of suicide.
The news broke through South Korean news agency Yonhap, revealing that Lee was discovered lifeless inside a car at a park in Seoul on Wednesday morning. According to Yonhap, Lee’s wife had reported to the police that the actor had left their home, later discovering what seemed to be a suicide note. Reports suggest that Lee had been the subject of a drug investigation, an issue that has recently surfaced amid the South Korean government’s intensified crackdown on illegal substances, implicating several high-profile individuals, including actors, singers, socialites, and heirs to affluent families.
It is reported that Lee had undergone questioning by the police three times, with a notable 19-hour session over the weekend, focusing on allegations related to his use of marijuana and psychoactive drugs. Reports indicate that Lee had frequented Seoul’s Gangnam district, particularly last Saturday, where he was allegedly involved in drug-related activities. The actor claimed to have been deceived into taking drugs by a bar hostess who subsequently attempted to extort him. South Korea’s stringent drug laws, carrying penalties ranging from at least six months in prison to up to 14 years for repeat offenders and dealers, cast a shadow over individuals facing such allegations.
Popularly known as “The Voice” among his Korean fanbase for his resonant vocal tones, Lee gained recognition in Western cinema for his portrayal of Park Dong-ik, the patriarch of the affluent family central to Bong’s 2019 dark comedy thriller Parasite. The film earned Lee and the cast a Screen Actors Guild Award. Born in Seoul in 1975, Lee pursued drama studies at the Korea National University of Arts, marking the beginning of a career that saw him excel in various mediums.
In the realm of television, Lee collaborated notably with writer Seo Sook-hyang, working on projects like Drama City and the beloved workplace romantic comedy Pasta (2010), where he portrayed an arrogant chef in an Italian restaurant. Transitioning seamlessly between major films and television dramas, Lee Sun-kyun showcased his versatility, starring in acclaimed productions such as Byun Young-joo’s psychological thriller Helpless (2012) and Min Kyu-dong’s romantic comedy All About My Wife (2012).
A distinguished performer on both the big and small screens, Lee also delved into theater and worked on three indie films for prolific Korean filmmaker Hong Sang-soo. His cinematic repertoire includes notable roles in A Hard Day (2014), an action thriller screened at the Cannes Film Festival, and Park Chan-ok’s Paju (2009), which garnered attention on the international festival circuit.
In 2021, Lee Sun-kyun headlined Dr. Brain, Apple TV+’s inaugural Korean-language original series, where he portrayed Koh Se-won, a calculated neurologist attempting to unravel a family mystery through brain experiments.
Lee Sun-kyun is survived by his wife, the actress Jeon Hye-jin, and their two sons. His untimely demise has sent shockwaves through the entertainment industry, leaving fans and colleagues mourning the loss of a talented and versatile actor whose contributions enriched both Korean and international cinema.
