'Parasite' Actor Lee Sun-kyun's Death Sparks Calls for Investigation

Director Bong Joon-ho and other South Korean artists question police and media handling of Lee's case amid allegations of drug use.

South Korean actor Lee Sun-kyun, known for his role in the Oscar-winning movie 'Parasite', was found dead in his car on December 27, 2023, in what is widely seen as a suicide.
Lee's death followed an intense police investigation into his alleged drug use, during which he was repeatedly summoned in the presence of TV cameras.
Lee insisted he was tricked into taking the drugs and that he did not know what they were, leading to extensive tabloid coverage and unconfirmed online rumors about his private life.
Oscar-winning 'Parasite' director Bong Joon-ho and other artists in South Korea have called for a thorough investigation into Lee's death and the handling of his case by the police and media.
South Korea has strict anti-drug laws and has long had the highest suicide rate among developed countries, with a string of celebrity suicides involving K-pop stars, prominent politicians, and business executives.