"Parasite" actor Lee Sun-kyun found dead after drug affair
Lee leaves behind a wife and two sons. He left a "note that reads like a will", Yonhap reported, citing the police. Desperate fans bid farewell to the actor on online networks. One fan wrote on X, formerly Twitter, "I laughed and cried a lot when I saw your acting. Thank you."
South Korea has very strict anti-drug laws. For example, the consumption of cannabis can be punished with life imprisonment. In recent months, several celebrities from the country's cultural scene, including rapper G-Dragon, have had to answer to the authorities on suspicion of using drugs.
The police had been investigating Lee since October. According to Yonhap, the last interrogation by the officers lasted 19 hours, from December 23 to 24. Lee was accused of using illegal drugs in the apartment of an entertainer from a posh bar. He stated that he had been "tricked" by the woman. He had not known that these were illegal substances.
Before an interrogation at the end of October, the actor spoke briefly to reporters and apologized for having "disappointed many people" through his involvement in this "unpleasant incident". "I'm sorry for my family who are having to endure so much grief at this moment," he added.
Lee is best known to international audiences from the 2019 film"Parasite" by director Bong Joon Ho. The black comedy was the first non-English language film in history to win the top prize for Best Picture at the 2020 Oscars and also won the Oscars for Best International Film, Best Director and Best Original Screenplay.
"Parasite", a mixture of social satire and thriller, is about the scion of a poor South Korean family who gets a job as a tutor for the daughter of a rich businessman - played by Lee. With black humor, the film tells how the son gradually places his entire family as employees with his new employer. The movie then heads towards a bloody ending.
Lee's last film, the horror thriller "Sleep" by director Yoo Jae-sun, also received positive reviews in the Critics' Week section of the Cannes Film Festival. In it, he plays a husband whose sleepwalking has creepy consequences.
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- The news of Lee Sun-kyun's passing has sparked a wave of heartfelt tributes on social media, with fans expressing their appreciation for his work in 'Parasite'.
- As a prominent figure in South Korea's film industry, Lee's involvement in a drug affair has brought scrutiny to the country's strict anti-drug laws.
- Yonhap News Agency reported that authorities found cannabis during the investigation, a substance that could potentially lead to life imprisonment in South Korea.
- Lee's controversial past is now casting a shadow over his successful portrayal of the manipulative character in 'Parasite', a film that tackles social satire in modern-day Seoul.
- Fans and critics alike are now discussing whether the 'Parasite' actor's drug scandal will have any impact on the film's Oscar-winning legacy.
- Lee's last project, the horror thriller 'Sleep', showcased his acting talents yet again, receiving praise from both critics and audiences alike.
- Although Lee's death is a tragedy, his work as an actor will continue to live on, entertaining and inspiring both local and international audiences.
- With Lee's passing, the entertainment industry is left to grapple with a new void, eagerly awaiting the next promising star to emerge from South Korea's rich creative landscape.
- As authorities continue their investigation into the drug affair, it remains to be seen if there will be any more revelations about Lee's personal life and career.
- Lee Sun-kyun's sudden departure from the public eye has sparked an outpouring of sympathy on Twitter, with fans mourning the loss of a talented actor who touched many lives through his work in films like 'Parasite'.
Source: www.stern.de
