New Delhi: South Korean actor Lee Sun-Kyun, whose film ‘Parasite’ won an Oscar, was found dead on Wednesday, according to Yonhap news agency. He was 48. The police had been investigating Lee Sun Kyun for suspected drug use since October.
His death was announced the day after an investigation into his suspected usage of marijuana and other psychotropic substances began. For the unversed, serious punishments are meted out to anyone who breaks South Korea's strict drug regulations. The punishment begins with a six-month jail term and may go up to fourteen years for those convicted of several crimes or drug dealing.
Yonhap reports that on Wednesday morning (December 27), the unconscious Lee Sun-kyun was discovered in a car in a Seoul park, adjacent to briquettes. His wife informed the authorities that he had left the house with what seemed to be a suicide note, and this led to the discovery.
Lee's wife allegedly called the police at night, telling them that "my husband had left the house after writing a note that resembles a will".
Following initial reports that a man's body was discovered near Waryong Park in Seoul's northern Jongno-gu neighbourhood, the identity of the famous actor was finally verified by authorities, according to The Korea Herald.
According to the report, emergency personnel said that he was already dead when they found him, and he was not sent to a hospital for treatment.
The exact cause of death, however, remains unknown, according to the authorities.
About Lee Sun-Kyun
Lee was born in 1975 and started his career in musical theatre. In 2007, he became famous thanks to the hit sitcom Coffee Prince. My Mister, White Tower, Pasta, Golden Time, and Golden Time were his subsequent successful shows.
He was also a part of ‘Parasite’, a dark comedy film that won an Oscar in 2019. In addition to Best Picture, Best Director, and Best Original Screenplay, the picture also took the Best International Feature Film at the 92nd Academy Awards.
Lee also appeared in ‘Dr. Brain’, the first Korean original series for Apple TV+. The sci-fi thriller aired in 2021 and consists of six episodes.