Parasite Actor’s 69-Day Investigation Come to a Tragic End

Actor Lee Sun-kyun who was under investigation for drug abuse allegations has tragically taken his own life at the age of 48.

According to police and fire department, on the 27th Lee was found deceased in a parked car near Waryong Park in Jongno-gu Seoul at around 10:30 AM that day.

Police were alerted at 10:12 AM by Lee’s wife and fellow actor Jeon Hye-jin who reported that “my husband left the house after writing a note that seemed like a suicide note.” Lee was found by the police just 18 minutes after the report was received already deceased. A lighter was reportedly found in the passenger seat of his car.

Lee had been under investigation for drug abuse allegations since last October. On October 19th, the Incheon Metropolitan Police Agency announced that a male actor in his 40s was charged without detention for allegedly using drugs several times over about a year. The public was shocked when it was revealed the next day that the actor was Lee Sun-kyun. Lee had risen to fame as a national actor through dramas such as ‘Coffee Prince’, ‘Pasta’, and ‘My Mister’ and had gained international recognition through the film ‘Parasite’ establishing himself as a top actor.

Lee’s agency Hodu&U Entertainment responded immediately. On the 20th they acknowledged that Lee was under investigation and revealed that he had been continuously threatened by Ms. A the owner of the bar in which he had taken the drugs at.

Lee faced the press for the first time after the controversy. On the 28th of the same month, Lee made his first appearance at the Nonhyeon Police Station in Namdong-gu Incheon. At the time, Lee bowed his head several times to express his apology and briefly shared his feelings. He said, “I bow my head once again to apologize to everyone who trusted and supported me,” and “I’m sorry to my family who are going through so much pain and hardship at this moment.” Lee tested negative in the preliminary drug test conducted that day.

Subsequently, Lee tested negative in a hair follicle test and was unable to be tested due to insufficient leg hair and also tested negative for drugs in an additional armpit hair test. On November 4th responding to the police’s second summons Lee said, “I answered all questions sincerely and honestly today,” and “I answered honestly as far as I can remember.”

The drug abuse allegations surrounding Lee stemmed from his inappropriate relationship with Ms. A. Voices expressing disappointment towards Lee who was a married man married to actress Jeon Hye-jin and father of two sons and started to rise. The situation escalated when a recorded conversation between Lee and Ms. A was released.

Lee appeared for his third police investigation on the 23rd. That day a 19-hour intensive investigation took place and it was reported that Lee requested a lie detector test reiterating his claims of innocence.

By. Youn Ju Kim