South Korean actor Lee Sun-kyun, renowned for his role in the Oscar-winning film Parasite, has been found dead in an apparent suicide in central Seoul.
Police discovered the 48-year-old actor’s body in a car near a city park. Lee had been under investigation for alleged illegal drug use since October. He was suspected of taking drugs such as marijuana and ketamine, though he denied knowledge of their illicit nature.
The actor’s death has prompted strong reactions online, with condolences and discussions about the challenges faced by celebrities in South Korea.
Lee rose to international fame with Parasite, the Oscar-winning film that made history as the first non-English language film to win Best Picture. Drug offences, including marijuana usage, are considered serious crimes in South Korea, and consumption carries prison sentences of up to five years.
Lee’s agency, HODU&U Entertainment, urged refraining from spreading false facts based on speculation and expressed sorrow over his death.
-BBC-
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