Lee Sun-kyun found dead in Seoul

Lee Sun-kyun was a South Korean actor who was born on March 2, 1975, in Seoul.

Lee Sun-kyun star of Parasite

He was best known for his roles in the thriller Helpless (2012), romantic comedy All About My Wife (2012), and crime/black comedy A Hard Day (2014). Internationally, he was best known for his role in the Bong Joon-ho's Academy Award-winning black comedy film Parasite, for which he won a Screen Actors Guild Award along with his castmates. Lee Sun-kyun was married to actress Jeon Hye-jin, and they had two sons.

Early Life

Lee Sun-kyun attended the Korea National University of Arts in 1994, and graduated in the first ever class of its School of Drama. In 2001, he made his stage acting debut as Brad Majors in the stage musical The Rocky Horror Show, and his television debut in the sitcom Lovers.

Lee Sun-kyun's career took off in the 2000s, with roles in a number of popular television dramas, including Coffee Prince (2007), White Tower (2007), and Pasta (2010). He also began to appear in films, with roles in Paju (2009), Night and Day (2008), and Oki's Movie (2010).

In 2012, Lee Sun-kyun starred in the thriller Helpless, opposite Kim Hye-soo. The film was a critical and commercial success, and Lee Sun-kyun's performance was praised by critics. He followed up Helpless with the romantic comedy All About My Wife, which also starred Jeon Do-yeon.

A pic of a scene from Helpless

In 2014, Lee Sun-kyun starred in the crime/black comedy A Hard Day. The film was a critical and commercial success, and Lee Sun-kyun's performance was praised by critics. He won the Best Actor award at the Blue Dragon Film Awards for his performance.

In 2019, Lee Sun-kyun starred in the Bong Joon-ho film Parasite. The film was a critical and commercial success, and won four Academy Awards, including Best Picture. Lee Sun-kyun's performance was praised by critics, and he won a Screen Actors Guild Award along with his castmates.

Actor Lee Sun-kyun had a truly remarkable career, earning recognition and acclaim both within South Korea and internationally. Here are some of his most notable achievements:

Award Recognition:

• Screen Actors Guild Award: Outstanding Performance by a Cast in a Motion Picture for Parasite (2020)
• Baeksang Arts Award: Best Leading Actor in Film for A Hard Day (2015)
• Las Palmas de Gran Canaria International Film Festival: Best Actor for Paju (2013)
• Nominated for International Emmy Award: Best Actor for My Mister (2019)
• Multiple other awards and nominations throughout his career, across film and television

Acclaimed Film Roles:

• Parasite (2019): Played patriarch of wealthy Park family in Bong Joon-ho's Palme d'Or-winning masterpiece, which became the first South Korean film to win Best Picture at the Academy Awards.

• A Hard Day (2014): Showcased his comedic timing and physical acting in this action-packed black comedy thriller, earning him the shared Best Actor award at the Baeksang Arts Awards.
• Helpless (2012): Delivered a chilling performance as a man framed for murder in this suspenseful and atmospheric thriller.
• All About My Wife (2012): Exhibited his versatility with a heartwarming portrayal of a husband struggling with his wife's amnesia in this romantic comedy.
• My Mister (2018): Delivered a powerful and nuanced performance as a depressed engineer in this critically acclaimed television drama, earning him an International Emmy Award nomination.

Additional Career Highlights:

• Enjoyed a long and successful career spanning over two decades, starring in numerous films and television series.
• Known for his diverse acting range, effortlessly taking on roles in dramedies, thrillers, action films, and more.
• Frequently collaborated with acclaimed director Hong Sang-soo, appearing in several of his films.
• Renowned for his dedication to his craft and meticulous preparation for each role.

Lee Sun-kyun's legacy lives on through his impressive performances, which continue to resonate with audiences worldwide.

The drug case involving Lee Sun-kyun

He was found dead in his car in Seoul on December 27, 2023, at the age of 48. The cause of death was suicide.

Accusations: Lee Sun-kyun was investigated for illegal drug use based on accusations by a woman in August 2023.

Lee Sun-kyun found died in his car

Denial: Lee Sun-kyun consistently denied the allegations, claiming he was unaware of taking any illegal substances. He even requested a lie detector test to prove his innocence.

Hair Tests: Lee Sun-kyun underwent multiple hair tests, which are considered highly accurate for detecting drug use in the past months. All the tests, including the one in November 2023, returned negative for marijuana and psychotropic drugs.

Death: Sadly, Lee Sun-kyun passed away on December 27, 2023, during the ongoing investigation. The official cause of death was determined to be suicide.

Respectful Approach: Given the sensitive nature of the case and the tragic loss, it's important to remember the following:

• Lee Sun-kyun consistently denied the allegations.
• No concrete evidence supporting the accusations was found.
• Speculation about the case surrounding his death can be hurtful to his family and fans.

Lee Sun-kyun was a talented and versatile actor who had a successful career spanning over two decades. He was known for his versatility, and he could play a wide range of roles. He was also known for his dedication to his craft, and he was always striving to improve his acting skills. Lee Sun-kyun's death was a loss to the Korean film and television industry.

Lee Sun-kyun's contributions to the entertainment industry transcended borders and languages. His talent, charm, and dedication touched the hearts of countless fans, leaving behind a vibrant tapestry of performances that will continue to resonate for generations to come. While his physical presence may be gone, his memory lives on through the indelible mark he etched on the world of cinema and his countless admirers.