Lee Sun-kyun, a South Korean actor who featured in Oscar-winning film “Parasite,” was found dead on Wednesday in an apparent suicide in a Seoul park, officials said.
The 48-year-old actor, known for his role as the head of a wealthy household in the film, had been under investigation for alleged illegal drug use.
Authorities had intensified their scrutiny as part of a government crackdown, subjecting Lee to three rounds of police questioning. One of these sessions had lasted for 19 hours over the weekend.
According to reports, the actor had claimed that he was deceived into consuming drugs by a bar hostess attempting to blackmail him.
Violating South Korea’s stringent drug laws can result in six months of imprisonment, while repeat offenders and dealers can face up to 14 years behind bars.
Lee was discovered by authorities during a search prompted by reports of his disappearance, as disclosed by a fire official on condition of anonymity.
The search was launched after Lee’s manager informed authorities about an apparent suicide note left by the actor before leaving home.
The acclaimed 2019 dark-comedy thriller “Parasite,” directed by Bong Joon-ho, clinched the Academy Award in February 2020 across four categories: best picture, best director, best original screenplay, and best international feature film. The film had garnered six Oscar nominations.
The film which garnered six Oscar nominations, follows Lee portraying Mr. Park, whose opulent household gets infiltrated by individuals from a lower social class posing as skilled domestic workers. Their intricate scheme culminates in a gruesome conclusion.
Born in 1975, Lee took on prominent roles in South Korean cinema, starring in films like the 2012 thriller “Helpless” and 2014’s “All About My Wife.”
He played the lead in Apple TV+’s first Korean-language original series, which rolled out in 2021.
A six-episode sci-fi thriller, “Dr. Brain” unspooled the tale of a cold-hearted neurologist, hunting for clues to a mysterious family accident through brain experiments.