PARASITE star Lee Sun-kyun was reportedly being blackmailed before his death by a barmaid who told cops he took drugs in her home multiple times.
The 48-year-old was quizzed by police for 19 hours over the alleged offences only days before he was found dead inside in a Seoul car park this morning.
At around 10.30am local time, cops found Sun-kyun’s body in a car parked near Waryong Park in central Seoul.
Police said they are investigating his death as a suicide.
The South Korean actor had earlier been reported missing by his wife, former Miss Korea contestant Jeon Hye-jin, after finding a suicide note.
Sun-kyun was being probed by cops over suspected drug use at the time of his death – claims he had denied.
He had been questioned by cops three times after being accused of using marijuana and other illegal drugs at the home of a bar hostess early this year, The Korea Times reports.
The woman in her 20s – whose identity has not been made public – allegedly worked at a high-end bar in Seoul’s Gangnam district.
The last questioning took place on December 23, where the actor was pictured arriving for the 19 hour grilling that lasted into the early hours of Christmas Eve.
The actor alleged that the barmaid tricked him into taking drugs and he wasn’t aware of what he was taking.
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He also filed a complaint against the unnamed hostess, claiming she had already extorted some £212,000 from him, according to The Korea Herald.
During questioning, Sun-kyun admitted he had met the hostess four times and had inhaled powder through his nose, but said he thought it was a crushed sleeping pill.
The woman claimed it was ketamine.
“I feel like it is a bit too late, but I’ve finished the questioning by the police about the blackmail case,” the actor said, emerging from the cop shop on December 24.
“I hope the police wisely determine which statements are more reliable between mine and the blackmailers.'”
Sun-kyun’s lawyer requested last week that the police proceedings be made more private after the actor felt “burdened” by having to face cameras during each summons.
After the drug accusations were made public in late October, the rising star was reportedly dropped from several major TV projects.
Last month, Sun-kyun tested negative in two drug tests conducted by investigators.
He attended his first police questioning on October 28 and apologised for “causing immense disappointment” to his family “who are enduring extreme pain at this moment.”
He submitted a polygraph test in an attempt to prove his alleged innocence the previous day.
South Korea’s drug laws are some of the strictest in the world with drug offences resulting in a minimum jail term of six months and up to 14 years for repeat offenders.
‘EXTREMELY TRAGIC’
Sun-kyun had risen to international fame playing the role of Dong Ik in the 2019 Oscar-winning thriller Parasite, which won the 2020 Academy Award 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.
Sun-kyun was also 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 from across the world.
“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 said.
“He was amazing in Parasite and Hard Day. This is extremely tragic,” a third added.
A fourth wrote: “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 offered: “His performance in Parasite was phenomenal… so very sad to read about his passing. RIP Lee Sun-Kyun.”
If you or someone you know is affected by any of the issues raised in this story, call or text the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline on 988 or chat on 988lifeline.org. You can also text HOME to 741741 for Crisis Text Line.
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, www.thecalmzone.net, 0800 585 858
- Heads Together, www.headstogether.org.uk
- Mind, www.mind.org.uk, 0300 123 3393
- Papyrus, www.papyrus-uk.org, 0800 068 41 41
- Samaritans, www.samaritans.org, 116 123
- Movember, www.uk.movember.com
- Anxiety UK www.anxietyuk.org.uk, 03444 775 774 Monday-Friday 9.30am-10pm, Saturday/Sunday 10am-8pm
