TRAGIC END
Lee Sun-kyun dead at age 48: Star of Oscar-winning film Parasite dies after he was found unconscious at park in Seoul
Before his death, Sun-kyun went through three rounds of police questioning
ACTOR Lee Sun-kyun, best known for his role in the Oscar-winning film Parasite, has been found dead inside a car at a park in Seoul.
Sun-kyun, 48, was being investigated for suspected drug use at the time of his death.
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A man in his 40s was found unconscious in a car in Seoul, South Korea at 10:30 am on Wednesday.
Police later identified the unconscious man as Sun-kyun.
Earlier in the day, police received a report from the actor's wife that a suicide note was found at his home and they began to search for him.
Sun-kyun was being investigated for suspicion of using marijuana and other illegal drugs at the time of his death.
The actor was accused of using illegal drugs at the home of a high-end bar hostess multiple times since the beginning of the year.
Sun-kyun claimed that the hostess tricked him into doing the drugs in a blackmail plot.
The actor tested negative for drugs in two recent tests, according to the outlet.
He claimed the unnamed waitress had extorted him for $270,000 (£212,000).
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Before his death, Sun-kyun went through three rounds of police questioning, including one session that lasted 19 hours this past weekend.
The actor was pictured on December 23 arriving for the police interview.
Drug laws in South Korea are strict, with typical punishment lasting anywhere from six months to 14 years behind bars for repeat offenders.
'EXTREMELY TRAGIC'
South Korean actor Sun-kyun played Dong Ik in the hit film Parasite, which won the 2020 Oscar for Best Picture.
Parasite became the first foreign language film to ever win the coveted category.
Sun-kyun won a 2021 Screen Actors Guild award for Parasite in the Outstanding Performance by a Cast in a Motion Picture category.
In addition to Parasite, Sun-kyun was known for his work in the 2014 action film A Hard Day and the 2009 drama Paju.
He also starred in 12 episodes of the 2023 crime series Payback, playing the main character Eun Yong.
Tributes have poured in for the actor.
"Awful news. Lee Sun-kyun was one of the best actors working in Korean cinema," one fan wrote.
"He was wonderful in Parasite. South Korea has serious problems with suicide. This is unfortunately an all too common story for many celebrities in that country."
"I just watched recently him in Payback too. This is too tragic," another fan said.
";He was amazing in Parasite and Hard Day. This is extremely tragic," someone else wrote.
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"Lee Sun-kyun was such a great talent in everything I’ve seen him in, but I can’t even think up any tribute because all I can think of is the tragic and heartbreaking circumstances leading up to his death and how this road is such a common story you hear from the industry," another fan wrote.
Someone else wrote: "His performance in Parasite was phenomenal… so very sad to read about his passing. RIP Lee Sun-Kyun."
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You're Not Alone
EVERY 90 minutes in the UK a life is lost to suicide.
It doesn't discriminate, touching the lives of people in every corner of society - from the homeless and unemployed to builders and doctors, reality stars and footballers.
It's the biggest killer of people under the age of 35, more deadly than cancer and car crashes.
And men are three times more likely to take their own life than women.
Yet it's rarely spoken of, a taboo that threatens to continue its deadly rampage unless we all stop and take notice, now.
That is why The Sun launched the You're Not Alone campaign.
The aim is that by sharing practical advice, raising awareness and breaking down the barriers people face when talking about their mental health, we can all do our bit to help save lives.
Let's all vow to ask for help when we need it, and listen out for others... You're Not Alone.
If you, or anyone you know, needs help dealing with mental health problems, the following organisations provide support:
- CALM, , 0800 585 858
- Heads Together,
- Mind, , 0300 123 3393
- Papyrus,, 0800 068 41 41
- Samaritans, , 116 123
- Movember,
- Anxiety UK , 03444 775 774 Monday-Friday 9.30am-10pm, Saturday/Sunday 10am-8pm
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