Well-loved South Korean Lee Sun-kyun, best known for his role in the Oscar-winning film Parasite, has died at the age of 48.
Lee was found dead whilst inside a car that had been seen in a park in the South Korean capital Seoul. He was being investigated for alleged drug use in the run-up to his death.
Local media in South Korea reported that police launched their own investigation after a man in his 40s was found unconscious in a car at around 10:30am. After initial analysis into the incident, officers went on to name the man as the actor.
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Sun-kyun broke through the local film market to reach an international audience in his role as Dong Ik in the box office smash Parasite. Appearing as a part of the family that takes on several jobs to pay back a debt, Parasite became the first ever foreign-language film to win the Oscar for Best Picture, getting the gong in 2020.
(Image: PA Photo/Curzon Artificial Eye)
The local force had also revealed that Lee’s wife had spoken to police earlier the day after a note was found on him. After carrying out an investigation at the actor’s home, police launched a missing person’s appeal before they eventually found him dead in the car.
Tributes continue to pour in by fans of the star as they learn of his tragic passing. One user took to social media to offer their sympathies: “I just watched him recently in Payback, this is too tragic.”
A second fan was heartbroken: “Awful news. Lee Sun-kyun was one of the best actors working in Korean cinema.”
(Image: Getty Images)
Sun-kyun was being looked into as a result of his drug use after being suspected of using marijuana and other illicit drugs when he died. He had ruffled feathers after he was accused of taking drugs at another house on several occasions since the start of the year.
The incident at the house, which was owned by a well-known bar hostess, caused a huge scandal that rocked Lee’s career. Sun-kyun insisted that the hostess had talked him into taking the drugs.
(Image: Getty Images for Turner)
After taking two separate drugs tests to prove his innocence, he had tested negative for any illicit substances according to the Korea Times. But in the run-up to his death, Lee had been interrogated three times by police, including one round of questioning that lasted a gruelling 19 hours just this weekend.
South Korea has incredibly strict laws in place to avoid the use of drugs. Anyone caught using any illegal substances could be given prison sentences lasting anywhere from six months to 14 years.
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Source: Celebrities - dailystar.co.uk
