Celebrated 'Parasite' Actor Lee Sun-kyun Discovered Deceased in South Korea

 The renowned South Korean actor Lee Sun-kyun, globally recognized for his role in the Oscar-winning film “Parasite,” was found deceased in Seoul on Wednesday, as confirmed by the police.

The 48-year-old actor was discovered in a vehicle parked on a street within the mid-northern Seongbuk district, as reported by an official from the Seongbuk police station to AFP.

According to police sources cited by Yonhap, a South Korean news agency, Lee left behind a note resembling a will. He had been under investigation by the police for alleged involvement in the use of marijuana and other drugs.

In response to his passing, several entertainment industry events in South Korea were canceled on Wednesday as a gesture of condolence for the late actor. Filmmaker Byun Young-joo, who had collaborated with Lee on her 2012 thriller “Helpless,” paid tribute to him by posting a pitch-black image on her Instagram account.

Actress Claudia Kim, also known as Soo Hyun, mourned Lee’s death on social media, emphasizing it as “a loss of great talent” for the industry. She stressed the importance of offering forgiveness and second chances to everyone.

Despite his previous commendable image, local news sources reported that Lee was being removed from television and commercial projects following the controversy. A graduate of South Korea’s esteemed Korea National University of Arts, Lee began his acting career in 2001 in a television sitcom titled “Lovers.” Over the years, he received praise for his diverse roles, ranging from a compelling chef to a brilliant but emotionally disconnected neuroscientist.

Lee gained widespread acclaim for his performance in the 2018 TV drama series “My Mister.”

Lee, known for his portrayal as a diligent architectural engineer, gained international recognition for his role as the affluent and superficial patriarch in director Bong Joon-ho’s 2019 Oscar-winning film “Parasite.”

His performances in romance productions, including the 2007 TV drama “Coffee Prince” and the 2012 film “All About My Wife,” were also acknowledged.

Lee collaborated with critically acclaimed South Korean filmmaker Hong Sang-soo, appearing in films like “Our Sunhi” (2013) and “Oki’s Movie” (2010).

In his recent horror film, "Sleep," released this year, Lee played a husband whose sleepwalking leads to terrifying situations, earning praise and a showcase in the Critics’ Week section at the Cannes festival.

Heartbroken fans expressed sorrow on social media, thanking Lee for his impactful performances. Renowned Korean-American writer Min Jin Lee also offered condolences, praising his outstanding work in ‘Parasite’ and ‘My Mister.’

Lee's reputation suffered after an investigation in October regarding suspected drug use. He vehemently denied knowingly consuming illicit substances, accusing individuals of blackmail and extortion.

Lee’s body was believed to have been taken to Seoul National University Hospital, as stated by the Seongbuk police official. He is survived by his wife, actress Jeon Hye-jin, and two sons.