Rest in Peace, Lee Sun-kyun
How South Korea's stringent anti-drug laws played a role in the famed "Parasite" actor's death
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On December 27, 2023, actor Lee Sun-kyun died by apparent suicide.
Alarmed by finding what appeared to be a suicide note, his wife — the actress Jeon Hye-jin — called the police. By the time they reached him in central Seoul, he was dead. Though the autopsy report is yet to come, experts are speculating that he died of carbon monoxide poisoning from the charcoal-burning briquette found in the passenger seat of his car.
His management company confirmed his death with a statement:
"This is Hodu&U Entertainment. We are sorry to bring you sad news. Actor Lee Sun-kyun passed away on December 27. There is no way to contain our sorrow and despair. We respectfully ask that you refrain from spreading false facts based on speculation or malicious reports, so that the deceased's final journey will be in peace. The funeral will be held quietly with the bereaved family and colleagues in attendance. We express our deepest condolences on the deceased's final journey."
Born on March 2, 1975 in Seoul and educated at the Korea National University of Arts, Lee made his professional acting debut in the 2000 short film “Psycho Drama,” followed by 2001’s stage show “The Rocky Horror Picture Show” (where he portrayed Brad Majors) and the 2002 television series “Lovers.” With his undeniable talent, good looks and rich, deep voice, Lee became a K-drama favorite after landing pivotal roles in “Coffee Prince,” “Pasta” and “My Mister.” But it was his performance as the rich family patriarch, Mr. Park, in Bong Joon-ho’s Academy Award-winning Parasite that won him international recognition.
Lee, 48, is survived by his wife and their two sons (aged 14 and 12). His funeral is planned at the Seoul National University Hospital’s funeral hall.
May he rest in peace. And may his family find the strength to endure this tragedy.
Facts about the accusations against the actor:
October 20, 2023: The Yonhap News Agency reported, “The Incheon Metropolitan Police Agency had begun an investigation into eight people, including [Lee Sun-kyun] and the offspring of a chaebol, over allegations they took illegal drugs multiple times this year.” Lee denied taking any illegal drugs. (Marijuana is illegal in South Korea.) Hodu&U Entertainment responded by saying that the actor had himself brought this issue up with the police when he filed a blackmail complaint against one of the people included in the investigation.” Lee had apparently paid that woman a substantial amount of money (almost $300,000 USD).
October 28: Lee was summoned for police interrogation shortly thereafter, where he denied taking marijuana and psychotropic drugs at the home of that woman.
That she was young (in her 20s) and worked at a high-end bar in Gangnam only fueled the salacious rumors that he was sleeping with prostitutes. And then netizens began spreading rumors that he had previously cheated on his wife with Parasite co-star Cho Yeo-jeong. The “proof”? There was none. Netizens speculated based on photos of the two stars hugging… To celebrate the success of their film… In public… Surrounded by their co-stars, audiences and the media.
“I keep thinking about his wife and children. They will continue to pay the price of not only what he was allegedly doing, but also how he died. So much pain and sorrow. And for what? What is the lesson? Don't do anything to bring shame to ‘us’"? — Joy Lieberthal Rho, LCSW
November 4: Lee was questioned by police again. That same month, Korea’s National Forensic Service performed a drug analysis of his hair samples. The police conducted reagent analysis as well. Both came back negative. During this timeframe, Lee admitted to only taking crushed sleeping pills through his nose, which his accuser said wasn’t true. Yes, that sounds like an implausible lie. Do I think he smoked pot? Yes. Do I think he inhaled a sleeping pill through a straw? No. Do I think he should’ve been raked over the coals for smoking pot? No. But a lie detector test would’ve helped mete out whether he was telling the truth. [Yes, I realize this wouldn’t have been admissible in court. But in a case of his word against hers, it could’ve shed some light on what actually happened.]
December 24: The police interrogated Lee for 19 hours. During this time, he requested that a lie detector test be given to both himself and to his accuser (who said she witnessed his drug use in her home).
December 27: Lee was found unresponsive in his car, in what will most likely be ruled as a suicide in the forthcoming autopsy report.
Suicide in South Korea
I’m currently watching the K-drama “Welcome to Samdal-ri,” where the female protagonist (played by Shin Hye-sun) is accused of mercilessly bullying a subordinate, who claims she was driven to attempt suicide because of her boss. Despite there being no evidence that Sam-dal harmed her underling… despite everyone knowing that she would never bully anyone… despite work colleagues who never witnessed any of this… all but a handful of people collectively turn their backs on her, turning her into a pariah overnight.
Anonymous netizens who knew nothing about the case except for the victim’s version dug their claws into Sam-dal, making libelous comments online. For them, it was fun and games. Even her parents’ friends questioned whether she had done the things the media was reporting. Fiction becomes the truth if enough people believe it, right?
Following Lee Sun-kyun’s death, you are going to read a lot on social media and in newspapers about how South Korea has the highest overall suicide rate of all countries — 26 deaths by suicide per 100,000 population according to Statista. (By comparison, the United States data indicates a suicide rate of 14 deaths per 100,000.) And while someone will surely write a think piece about South Koreans being predisposed to dying by suicide, it’s important to remember how South Korea came to be an economic powerhouse and how its citizens’ well being was secondary to the country’s greatness.