Oscar-winning film ‘Parasite’ actor Lee Sun-kyun was found dead on Wednesday in an apparent suicide in a Seoul park, officials in the capital said.
Lee, 48, who was South Korea’s first actor to win any Oscar, had faced police questioning three times over accusations of illegal drug use with one session running 19 hours over the weekend.
The actor had said he was tricked into taking drugs by a bar hostess trying to blackmail him, the Yonhap news agency reported.
Lee was found in a car at a park in Seoul, after his manager told police the actor had left home, leaving behind what looked like suicide note, a police official said. The official pleaded anonymity.
Infringements of South Korea’s tough drug laws can lead to six months in jail, or up to 14 years for repeat offenders and dealers.
Directed by Bong Joon-ho, “Parasite” won the Academy Award in 2020 in the four categories of best picture, best director, best original screenplay and best international feature film, off six Oscar nominations. It also became the first non-English language movie to win the best picture award.
Lee, born in 1975, had leading roles in South Korean films such as the 2012 thriller “Helpless” and 2014’s “All About My Wife”, as well as the acclaimed 2018 TV series “My Mister”.
Lee’s wife is award-winning actress Jeon Hye-jin, and the couple had two children. His agency, HODU&U Entertainment, did not respond to calls.
