'Parasite' Actor Lee Sun-kyun Was Under Drug Investigation at Time of Death

Actor Lee Sun-kyun, star of the Oscar-winning movie Parasite, was found dead in an apparent suicide on Wednesday at the age of 48.

The South Korean star's body was found inside a car in a park in Seoul, per the Associated Press, which reported police had launched a search for Lee after his family stated that he left what appeared to be a suicide note.

Lee was found with a charcoal briquette in the passenger seat of his car. He was pronounced dead at the scene.

Lee's sudden death came after the actor had been police questioned on three occasions amid allegations of illegal drug use. According to local reports, one of those sessions ran for 19 hours over the weekend.

Lee's agency, HODU&U Entertainment, said in a statement: "There is no way to contain the sorrow and despair. We respectfully ask that you refrain from spreading false facts based on speculation... so that [Lee's] final journey will not be unfair."

Police announced back in October that SAG Award-winning actor Lee was under investigation for suspected drug use.

The investigation was launched after police received a tip-off that drugs were being circulated at an upscale club in the Gangnam district of Seoul, which was known to be frequented by Lee.

HODU&U Entertainment issued a statement to Korean media at the time, saying that the agency was "currently verifying the exact facts regarding the allegations" and "intended to fully cooperate" in the investigation.

The agency also stated that Lee filed a complaint for the "continuous blackmail and threats" made against him by a person involved in the case, in which it was alleged that marijuana was included in the drugs he had been accused of taking.

Lee claimed that he had been tricked into taking drugs at the home of a club hostess, who he alleged had attempted to blackmail him. Local media further reported that Lee had taken a brief reagent test and a drug test by the National Forensic Service last month, which returned a negative result.

A travel ban was imposed on Lee amid the ongoing investigations, police confirmed in October.

Lee was one of a number of South Korean celebrities reported to have been under investigation for alleged drug use. Police stated in October that a total of 10 people were being investigated, including Lee, rapper G-Dragon, a composer, an aspiring singer and others. G-Dragon was cleared earlier this month following weeks of investigations.

Unverified rumors had reportedly spread online about other celebrities and their alleged connection to the latest case, including that members of K-pop band BTS were among the regular patrons of the aforementioned venue in Gangnam.

At the time, Big Hit Entertainment, the management company for BTS, told Korean media that members of the band had "nothing to do with the malicious rumors, which are not true at all" and that they "plan to take strong action against the indiscriminate spread of rumors."

Those who fall foul of South Korea's tough drug laws can face six months in prison. Repeat offenders and dealers face up to 14 years behind bars.

Lee rose to international fame for his role as the patriarch of the wealthy Park family in Parasite, which won the best picture trophy at the 2020 Academy Awards. The win made history as the first non-English language movie to take Best Picture. The film also took awards for best directing, best international feature film and best original screenplay.

"Because [Parasite] received the Palme d'Or at Cannes we were hoping that the film would receive some recognition at the Oscars, because it was the first Korean film that even had a chance," Lee said in an interview published in October.

"When all the nominations came out, I expected that director Boon Joon-ho could win, but I never thought we had a chance at Best Picture," he added. "So when our director won, we thought the day was over. You cannot imagine how surprised and excited we were when they called the film for Best Picture. I'll never forget it."

Lee, who starred in Apple TV+'s first Korean-language original series Dr. Brain, also had roles in the movies All About My Wife and Helpless.

At the time of his death, Lee had been married for more than 14 years to actress Jeon Hye-jin, with whom he had two sons.

If you or someone you know is considering suicide, please contact the 988 Suicide and Crisis Lifeline by dialing 988, text "988" to the Crisis Text Line at 741741 or go to 988lifeline.org.