Entertainment

‘Parasite’ actor Lee Sun-kyun found dead at 48

South Korean actor, Lee Sun-kyun, best known for his role in the Oscar-winning film “Parasite”, has been found dead in an apparent suicide in the country.

The actor was discovered inside a vehicle at a park in central Seoul, the capital of South Korea, on Wednesday.

Lee, 48, had been under police investigation over his alleged use of marijuana and other psychoactive drugs.

Once celebrated for his wholesome image, local news outlets reported that the actor was being dropped from television and commercial projects following the scandal.

A graduate of South Korea’s prestigious Korea National University of Arts, Lee made his acting debut in 2001 in a television sitcom titled, “Lovers”.

READ ALSO: South Korea suspend Norwich City striker over sex video

He later won acclaim for his performances in a variety of roles, including a charismatic chef and a diligent architectural engineer who learns his wife cheats on him.

Globally, he is best known for his portrayal of the wealthy and shallow patriarch in director Bong Joon-ho’s 2019 Oscar-winning film “Parasite”.

His last film, this year’s horror flick “Sleep” – in which he played a husband whose sleepwalking eventually leads to horrifying circumstances – was well-received critically and featured in the Critics’ Week section at the Cannes festival.

He briefly spoke to reporters in late October before entering an Incheon police station to meet with investigators.

He said: “I sincerely apologise for causing great disappointment to many people by being involved in such an unpleasant incident.

“I feel sorry for my family, which is enduring such difficult pain at this moment. “Once again, I sincerely apologise to everyone.”

South Korea has extremely tough laws on illegal drugs, with even Koreans who take drugs like marijuana legally abroad risking prosecution upon returning to their home country.

This year, President Yoon Suk Yeol called for more stringent measures to eliminate drug traffickers, saying the country was no longer “drug-free”.

He is survived by wife and actress, Jeon Hye-jin, and two sons.

The Star

Segun Ojo

Recent Posts

INEC confirms Yahaya Bello as APC Kogi Central candidate

The Independent National Electoral Commission has listed former Kogi State Governor, Yahaya Bello, as the…

8 hours ago

FULL LIST: INEC releases final list of 18 presidential candidates for 2027

The Independent National Electoral Commission has released the final list of 18 presidential candidates and…

10 hours ago

Uganda’s former youngest king buried amid family feud

Thousands of mourners gathered in Uganda on Saturday to bury King Oyo Nyimba Kabamba Iguru…

10 hours ago

Gunmen kill three herders, 50 cattle in Plateau attack

Three herders and about 50 cattle have been killed in a fresh attack around Aloghom…

12 hours ago

EPL: Hull hold Chelsea at Stamford Bridge as Liverpool fail to beat Fulham

Hull City held Chelsea 2-2 at Stamford Bridge to go third in the Premier League…

12 hours ago

Dangote refinery IPO: Zenith Bank opens subscription channels

Zenith Bank has announced that Nigerians in the country and abroad can subscribe to the…

13 hours ago

This website uses cookies.