South Korean actor Lee Sun-kyun, renowned internationally for his role in the Academy Award-winning film “Parasite,” has passed away during an investigation into alleged illegal drug use, as confirmed by the police on Wednesday. The actor, aged 48, was reported missing by his manager, leading to the discovery of Lee in his car on Wednesday morning.
Police in Seoul released a statement indicating that the cause of death is “presumed to be suicide.” Forensic personnel were observed at the scene, investigating the vehicle cordoned off by police tape.
Authorities in the city of Incheon confirmed that Lee had been questioned three times since October as part of an inquiry into suspected drug use. His most recent police summons occurred on December 23, during which he was held for 19 hours before being released the following day.
Despite being subjected to drug tests throughout the investigation, all of Lee’s test results returned negative, as reported by Incheon police. The statement did not specify the number of tests conducted.
Lee had claimed he was tricked into using drugs and subsequently blackmailed by the same individual, police said. Lee filed a lawsuit against the alleged blackmailer, according to police, who added they had received a tip about his alleged drug use before he filed suit.
One man and one woman have been arrested in relation to the drug investigation, police said. On December 26, he had requested police through his lawyers to conduct a polygraph examination of himself and two other people police apprehended. South Korean actor
The police also offered their condolences to the actor’s bereaved family, saying they had tried to prevent media leaks about his drug investigation before its completion – in accordance with South Korean law, which prohibits those involved in a criminal investigation from releasing facts about the suspect before a public indictment is released.
Police in Seoul said Lee’s family did not want an autopsy to be conducted.
A funeral for Lee will be held “quietly” with family members and colleagues in attendance, South Korean news agency Yonhap reported Wednesday, citing his agency, Hodu & U Entertainment.
“Actor Lee Sun-kyun passed away today,” the company said, according to Yonhap. “There is no way to contain the sorrow and devastated feelings.”
“Please refrain from spreading false information based on speculation or assumption,” the company added.
CNN reached out to the agency for comment and did not immediately hear back.
Various media events in South Korea’s entertainment business have been scrapped in the wake of Lee’s sudden death.
The director and cast of South Korea’s hit film, “12:12: The Day,” canceled an event on Thursday where it had intended to meet with fans in celebration of the film surpassing 10 million in ticket sales.
The South Korean network tvN also canceled an event where it would present a new drama on Wednesday afternoon.