Lee Sun-kyun, the star who shot to global popularity as the patriarch of the rich Park household in Bong Joon-ho‘s admired 2019 black funny Parasitewas discovered dead on Wednesday. According to authorities in the South Korean capital of Seoul, the cause of death is thought to be suicide. He was 48.
According to authorities who talked with Seoul-based Yonhap News Agencythroughout 2023, Lee had actually been questioned by authorities 3 times “on suspicions of utilizing cannabis and other controlled substances.” Drug laws in South Korea are a few of the strictest worldwide: as kept in mind by the Seoul Law Groupdrugs of any kind– consisting of marijuana– are unlawful, and Korean people are even restricted from utilizing drugs when in countries with more liberal laws. Sentences for those founded guilty of substance abuse can vary from 6 months to over a years.
Lee had actually consistently rejected the claims, and declared that he had actually been fooled by a person hosting at a high-end Gangnam district bar into taking in the unlawful compounds as part of a blackmail plot versus him. He submitted fit versus his supposed blackmailer, CNN reportshowever continued to be questioned. On December 23, he was held by cops for 19 hours. In an interview previously today, Lee stated, “I ask that the authorities make a profundity about whose side’s declarations are reputable in between me and the blackmailers;” on December 26, he asked cops (through his attorneys) to enable him to take a polygraph test to validate his innocence.
According to Yonhap, Lee’s outcomes were unfavorable throughout every drug test administered by authorities throughout the probe.
Lee studied drama at the Korea National University of Arts, and started his Korean television profession in 2007. A movie profession– that included functions on the worldwide celebration circuit– followed, and drew worldwide attention with the success of award wining social commentary ParasiteIn 2021, Lee was called the lead in Apple television+’s very first Korean-language initial series, Dr. Brain.
According to South Korea’s National Police Agency, over 17,000 individuals have actually been jailed this year following South Korean President Yoon Suk Yeol’s vow to “activate all abilities of the whole federal government to accomplish success” in the nation’s war on drugs. In this ramp-up of enforcement, celebs consisting of Hellbound star Yoo Ah-in and K-pop vocalist G-Dragon have actually dealt with claims.
In a declaration, Lee’s agents, Hodu & & U Entertainment, composed that “Actor Lee Sun-kyun died today. There is no other way to include the grief and ravaged sensations.”
“Please avoid spreading out incorrect details based upon speculation or presumption,” his agents composed, however decreased additional remark.
Lee is endured by spouse Jeon Hye-jinwho is likewise a star, and their 2 children.
If you require psychological assistance or remain in crisis, call the Suicide & & Crisis Lifeline at 988.